Guam's public school system has stepped up its efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic to assist families by providing students with Mifi devices since April of this year.

The Guam Department of Education's Providing Access To Home or PATH program was developed to supply internet access to students who need it.

While the program is offered to some 28,000 students attending all 41 GDOE schools, only a thousand students are using the devices. About a thousand personnel are utilizing the devices as well.
According to GDOE deputy superintendent of curriculum and instruction, Joe Sanchez, the program can help 3,500 students. He said that they are encouraging students to join the program.

"We've been reaching out to families, especially the ones who we think might be able to utilize the resource," he said. "We continue to do so because the intent really is to what happens is really want to get to a point where when we close down or when teachers or the students get sent home because of contact tracing or for some other reason we want them to be able to just access their work or material online."

All students qualify for the program and interested parents can pick up an application at their children's school.

"Once they get approved, they get an approval code from the school that we have here at central as well and they can bring their document to IT&E which is our current vendor," he said.

Although the participation rate is low, Sanchez said GDOE plans to extend the program.

"We are still going to renew our contract. So we're putting it out to bid in the next few weeks to extend the project for another year in anticipation of more students trying to jump on board," he said.

If more assistance is needed, the department will procure more supplies. The program is financed through the Governor's Education Stabilization Fund.

Parents can pick up application forms or fill one out at their children’s school site. Meanwhile, if students need a laptop, they can also contact their schools to check out a device.

For all GDOE school inquiries, email info@gdoe.net.