DepEd asks suppliers to provide only higher-quality laptops
The Department of Education (DepEd) urged potential suppliers to offer only higher-quality laptops that would benefit teachers and learners instead of focusing on branding.
DepEd Undersecretary Kris Ablan made this appeal during the department’s Computerization Program forum.
Ablan said that it is more important that suppliers focus on the quality and the specifications of the computers.
“I was just trying to emphasize a point to them that the end users of this are not your ordinary government employees. It’s actually students, these are our children, these are our nephews, and are our nieces, and sabi nga ni Rizal ang pag-asa ng ating bayan ay kabataan. And if we don’t invest in them properly, what’s going to happen to us?” he said.
The branding of the computer where the DepEd’s logo will be embossed into the laptop’s case is unnecessary, he said.
“I’m not really into the branding of the laptop and ‘yung lalagyan ng laptop. Right now, we’re starting fresh under the administration of PBBM (President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.) and VP Sara (Duterte). I would rather provide a laptop that has the components needed for our teachers and learners than focus on na kulay blue siya, na may DepEd emboss siya,” Ablan said.
What is important is the specs and their durability, he said.
“May mga laptop kaming nasisira wala pang dalawang taon, so ‘yun po ‘yung concern ko. Kapag sinabi niyong may service center, ‘pag nagyabang kayong mayroon kayong mobile repair unit, siguraduhin niyo pong mayroon kayong mobile repair unit at hindi po puro laway lang po ‘yun” he added.
Ablan clarified that the procurement body would take the stakeholders’ feedback into careful consideration.
The forum intends to disclose the technical needs for the procurement of information and communications technology products.
Under the DepEd Computerization program, an e-classroom is targeted to be procured for the learners.
“Ang e-classroom po ay ang ating mobile computer lab na magko-consist po ng around 45 laptops sa ating mga learners at teachers, kasama po ang isang smart TV, dalawang wireless router at charging cart po niya” he said.
Source: PNA