PASIG CITY, Philippines – The Department of Education (DepEd) expands its commitment to learners in ensuring that school and home environments are conducive to learning with the launch of the LightEd PH campaign which aims to provide solutions to schools and homes that have no power through conventional and alternative sources of energy.
“Light makes vision possible. In the realm of education, let us be the light that will help our children realize their vision for themselves, their families, and our country. We call on everyone to be part of this LightEd PH campaign and to bring light to those who need it and to help in extending the hours of quality learning,” Education Secretary Br. Armin Luistro FSC said on Friday.
“As of School Year 2013-2014, there are 5,954 schools in the Philippines that are either un-energized or are in remote and off-grid areas, where at least 1,101,051 students, whose access to technology, enhanced instructional methods, and more engaging learning activities, are limited. The health of these students is also at risk from using kerosene lamps that emit harmful fumes, which is the only means for them to study at night,” says DepEd Undersecretary for Partnership and External Linkages Mario A. Deriquito.
Under LightEd PH, the DepEd is launching “One Child, One Lamp”, a campaign that will be implemented in partnership with Children’s Hour and Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) to raise funds for solar lamps that will be distributed to students in off-grid public schools.
Undersecretary Deriquito notes, “Students in off-grid barangays have limited time to study at night. Providing them electricity or solar lamps will help them extend their study time, thus increasing the chance to improve their academic performance.”
DepEd has partnered with Global Peace Foundation, Thrive Solar Energy Philippines, Stiftung Solarenergie, and other organizations to provide mini-solar LED lamps that can be used for up to ten hours after three to four hours of charging during the day. These solar lamps are also water- and shock-resistant, produce white light that is brighter than that of a kerosene lamp, and do not emit harmful fumes, allowing the learners to continue their studies at night.
Moreover, in collaboration with the Department of Energy (DOE) and private power or energy companies, DepEd will furnish off grid-schools with solar energy sets and solar panels that will serve as a stand-alone and self-sustaining technology system to power the school.
For on-grid schools that continue to be unenergized, DepEd is collaborating with the National Electrification Administration (NEA) to encourage local electric cooperatives to extend power lines to the service drop near the schools’ premises.
LightED PH campaign to improve learning for underprivileged students
