On April 12, 2022, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) turned over the last batch of digital and information technology (IT) equipment of their $2.4 million grant support for distance learning to the Department of Education(DepEd). 

Through this grant, a total of 46,680 solar-powered transistor radios, 3,500 android tablets, and 21 Wi-Fi local area network (LAN) sets with solar-powered batteries were provided for secondary school students and teachers in select remote schools. 

This initiative is financed by technical assistance grants from ADB and the Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacific under the EdTech Solutions for Last Mile Schools in COVID-19 program.

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Along with NIRAS Asia Manila and Edukasyon.ph, the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) as project partner and implementer works in local representation, coordination, awareness and advocacy, facilitation of trainings, capacity development and relationship building with local education stakeholders. PBSP also engaged four field specialists in Schools Division Offices of Abra, Kalinga, Bohol, and Zamboanga Sibugay to work with the implementation of the technical assistance, management, quality assurance, and monitoring of the implementation of project activities. 

This ADB EdTech Solutions Project gives a very significant boost to PBSP’s initiatives on learning continuity and to provide the Last Mile Schools and underprivileged learners in the country with access to necessary equipment and tools to catch up and cope with the challenges during and after the COVID-19pandemic.