One textbook per pupil in 08

GUIGUINTO, Bulacan – Education Secretary Jesli Lapus gave assurance on Friday that books intended for public schools have already been properly evaluated and that they are error-free and available to every student.

He said the books were printed in Singapore.

Speaking to reporters after President Arroyo’s ocular inspection of books stocked in a warehouse to be delivered to public schools, Lapus said the Department of Education (DepEd) spent P1.2 billion for 32.8 million pupils this year and added that the unit price of books has dramatically dropped.

For high schools, DepEd spent P107.27 for every book students used in 1998 to 2000, as compared with P44.15 per high school textbook the government is spending for the coming school year.

As to content, he gave assurance that the textbooks and teacher’s manuals to be distributed are error-free, noting that the books’ manuscripts and first copies were evaluated by experts from the University of the Philippines and Ateneo de Manila University.

“The books underwent a five-step process before printing and copyrighting, so if there are errors DepEd should be blamed,” Lapus said.

Meanwhile, the President ordered the immediate reconstruction and repairs of at least 135 school buildings damaged by typhoon “Cosme.”

Lapus briefed the Chief Executive on the extent of damage wreaked by Cosme on school buildings in Region 3 and in the provinces of Pangasinan, La Union and Zambales, which was assessed at P210 million. – With Non Alquitran