Connectivity kits distribution: CTU-Danao Campus on the move to FL Implementation
Cebu Technological University System responded to the Commission on Higher Education’s (CHED) call on the implementation of a flexible learning (FL) program amid the pandemic crisis. Cebu Technological University (CTU), in collaboration with the country’s two telecommunication companies: Globe Telecom and PLDT Home Broadband, successfully distributed connectivity kits to its satellite campuses and beneficiaries for A.Y. 2020–2021.
Globe Telecom sponsored 1,817 units of connectivity kits last July 28, 2020, while PLDT Home Broadband provided 1,678 connectivity kits last August 26, 2020. CTU-Danao campus alone received a total amount of 3,495 connectivity kits.
The distribution of these connectivity kits started last August 28, 2020, up to the formal opening of classes on September 1, 2020. The said distribution is part of CTU’s commitment to providing quality higher education in the New Normal beneath the flexible learning system. The students got to choose their preferred network to ensure maximum data strength in their residences.
The students shall return these connectivity kits once the classes will go back to normal or perhaps as soon as the pandemic ends.
Despite this promising assistance and support from the university, there are still challenges that students may face in the new normal.
By far, the most common challenge in the flexible online learning program is accessing the network provider’s maximum signal strength. Based on the survey, signal strength is high in urban areas while poor in most rural areas. This is a challenge since most students live in remote areas; they find it challenging to get a stable network connection for online classes and activities. Some of them say,
“It is good, we just need to place it on top (refers to the roof) or in any higher places elsewhere so that it can generate a strong signal connection. However, the load of it is very affordable”.
But others have opposed this statement and delineated their opinion to enlighten the mind of a few. According to them, “It is no good, we are much more preferred to use our cellular data because it can surely sustain the data consumption in our daily online classes. Hence, we can saved money much bigger than the connectivity kit’s load expenses.” There was even one male student, specifically a BIT DRAFTING (Night class), who stopped schooling due to insufficient support and network failure in this time of crisis.
It seems to be a win-win situation for some; however, those students whose families struggle financially find it challenging to squeeze in the 600.00 Php load in their daily expenses and access maximum network strength.
