I find it interesting that my alma mater, La Salle Green Hills, will be issuing tablet PC's to students and parents who aren't willing to carry heavy books on a daily basis. It is brought by the fact that students are prone to health risks when they constantly carry heavy loads. Hence the simple logic of having everything needed for academics in an all-in-one gadget. However, cheaper and more efficient alternatives can be pursued. Alternatives which can tackle not just the initial problem but the several other problems as well.
Perhaps it is about time for the institution to review their curriculum and study the required materials need for each subject. Quite frankly, in 10 books, only 60% percent are used regularly. The rest of the materials aren't used by the students. Instead of having the students buy 2 books which contain the subject's coverage, why not search for a book which can cover the whole subject? Also, by reducing the number materials needed, you also reduce the overall weight which is being carried by the student. In addition to that, you lessen the parent's expenses by a few hundreds or thousands giving them more money for other academic expenses such as uniforms, transportation allowance, baon and etc.
Personal lockers are already available by the time the students reach Grade 3. Why not encourage the students to properly utilize their lockers in order for them to lessen their load? Remind them that their lockers are there for their books. Not for their garbage, notices of low scores, violation reports, pornography and etc (something which I admit am guilty of).
Each tablet costs P14,500 per unit. In addition to that, students who will be purchasing the unit will need to pay for the e-books which they will be using for that year. That is if the publishers will be charging for their copyright. Which they surely will. Also, transferring written material into e-format will also cost some money. I am extremely doubtful that the publishing company will be willing to cover the expenses. Hence, extra amount per material will be charged in order to cover the processing expenses. I will not be surprised if an additional P3000 (more or less) will be charged to the students. Obviously, this will cost more than the regular P5000-P6000 which we pay for every year.
An iPad rip-off costs roughly P2500-P4000 per unit. How much do you think it will cost if you buy it from the source (some factory in China most probably) at wholesale? Judging by the picture shown on the article, the tablets which will be issued to the students are very similar. Look, I understand that private schools are a business and consumers are willing to pay extreme amounts of money for an "exclusive" education. But seriously, P14,500 for a generic tablet? I could buy a netbook for that amount. Something which is more functional.
Annually, students and their parents are being charged with arbitrary fees. Besides the extremely expensive tuition fee, misc fees, developmental fees and other fees are being added. Fees which supposedly pay for the school's management, maintenance and operational expenses. Add the tablet pc plus the other expenses attached to it and you greatly increase the amount needed to cover the student's educational cost. Parents will be paying an estimated P100,000+ per child. Lunch money, transportation allowance and other necessary expenses aren't added to the equation.
Though I am not entirely against La Salle Green Hills' new project, I feel that there are alternatives which can be taken in order to create an environment conducive to learning and progress. Don't get me wrong. Mahal ko ang LSGH. Hence my sincere wanting for it to improve and at the same time lessen the Students' and Parents' financial burden.
