DepEd takes in Globe for Adopt-A-School Program

The Department of Education (DepEd) has partnered with Globe Telecom Inc. to improve the quality of education in public schools under the Adopt-A-School (AAS) Program.

“We need all the help we can get from the private sector so that our public schools, especially the less privileged ones, may still receive assistance outside the mainstream funding and the national budget,” Tonisito Umali, DepEd assistant secretary for External Partnership Service, said in a statement on Thursday.

The AAS initiative encourages the private sector to help the department in providing quality education through infrastructure projects, teaching skills development, and equipment support.

In response, Globe came up with the Global Filipino School (GFS) Program as a way of improving the public education system through information and communications technology (ICT).

“It is Globe Telecom’s purpose to create opportunities that will allow people to overcome challenges and make their dreams come true. With this in mind, we continue to align our programs with the priority plans of DepEd to provide world-class education to more public schools nationwide,” said Fernando Esguerra, Globe director for Citizenship.

Schools with GFS Program are supposed to be a training hub since the goal is for technology transfer to happen: digitally-literate teachers sharing their knowledge with fellow teachers.

The GFS Program piloted at Bilar National High School in Bohol in 2012.
As of September, there were 20 GFS schools in 16 school divisions in nine regions.

In a press briefing, Globe said the target is to implement the GFS program in 221 schools in all DepEd school division across the Philippines in five years.

Sixty schools are expected to be tapped before the end of the year, representing 60 divisions from the National Capital Region, CALABARZON, Central Visayas, Northern Mindanao, and Davao with a combined student population of 90,000.

Esguerra noted the success of the program has encouraged them to tap more schools. “It shows improved digital skills among teachers and students, particularly on the usage of mobile technology and computer software.”

Students become better-rounded due to increased engagements under the 21st Century Learning Framework, namely collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking, he added.

Bridging the digital divide

Education Undersecretary Alain Pascua noted so much more must be done to bridge the digital divide in schools. "Out of the 46,000 public schools that we have, we only have about 26 percent of them connected to the internet. Hindi dahil sa walang pera, hindi dahil sa walang equipment, kundi walang internet signal.”

Pascua challenged Globe and other telecom firms to provide more infrastructure that will enhance internet connectivity even in far-flung mountainous regions and in Mindanao.

“We can provide advanced education through information technology, through internet. Bring technology to the farthest areas,” he said.
Globe Senior Vice President for Corporate Communications Yolanda Crisanto asked local government units to help the telco in processing permits for cellsites and fiber connections.

“Makakatulong po kami nang malaki sa sektor ng edukasyon, kung kami ay mabibigyan ng way para maka-access din kami sa eskwelahan,” Crisanto said. — VDS, GMA News