VP NOLI VOWS SUPPORT FOR OPEN EDUCATION, DISTANCE LEARNING
March 10, 2009

Vice President Noli 'Kabayan' De Castro vowed support for open education and distance learning. Speaking during the 19th founding anniversary of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines' (PUP) Open Education System on Saturday, De Castro assured PUP that he will support its plan to provide higher priority for open education and distance learning in the coming budget cycles.

"I do not say this because I am expected to say it. I say this because I believe in open education and distance learning system and this has been one of my advocacies as a public servant," De Castro said.

De Castro said he shares the view that more funds should be given to new and alternative methods of education such as those used in open education and distance learning.

"This however will take time as the government's ability to support the education sector depends on its capacity to generate revenues," he noted.

In the meantime, De Castro said the school should learn to do more with less by optimizing the use of funds and prioritizing high impact projects. For a start, he suggested the purchase of additional computers to support the university's on-line programs.

The Vice President also urged the school to link up with various funding agencies that could provide additional assistance for faculty development and learn from the best practices of other institutions.

"The idea is to explore non-traditional sources of funds and ensure a more efficient use of available resources," he said.

Moreover, De Castro reminded the school that the information age is characterized by openness. He encouraged the academe to work within the framework of the new environment to support the national goals.

"Let us help each other and find solutions to our common problems and together let us take advantage of the opportunities in the horizon. And in the days and years to come, you can count on my support, whether I am in government or out of it," he said.

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