Senator Edgardo J. Angara urged the incoming administration to legislate an integrated computer education starting in elementary level to prepare the youth in the latest advances in this field.

To do this, Angara proposed to include basic computer applications and programs in primary schools to produce highly skilled workers in programming, digitally-aided designs, hardware, networking and software development.

“Our people need to be updated on the latest advances in technology. The youth must be scientifically and technically prepared to fully tap their inner talents and contribute to national development,” noted Angara, former UP President.

Angara also proposed the creation of the Board of Computer Education to asses, supervise and monitor the accreditation of schools; provide the curriculum for computer-aided logic, math and science education in the elementary level; and monitor over all performances of the schools and the students.

He said the proposed board will promote the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) scheme of the program, which will include facilitating the training of teachers on computer literacy and maintenance and provide apprenticeships to qualified students into the facilities maintenance component of their education. This is pursuant to Republic Act 6957, the act authorizing the private sector to build and operate infrastructure facilities and later on transfer ownership to the (local) government.