Globe Telecom the leading telecommunications company emerged with its nationwide campaign today (Feb. 11) providing a 21st century education in Public Learning institutions.
Based on a recent report of the Department of Education on national connectivity, less than 25% of schools have internet access, and even a smaller percentage share this with teachers and students but with Global Filipino School’s (GFS) success from the first time it was introduced in Bilar, Bohol three years ago, and reports of the Philippines’ poor global ranking in education which is currently at 96th place out of 148 countries. Globe Telecommunications is now maneuvering to implement the program nationwide to help improve the statistics.
Two elementary schools in Cagayan de Oro City are chosen as their initial beneficiaries. There’s Indahag Elementary School and Father William F. Masterson, SJ Elementary School, both of which will be provided with a mobile laboratory, internet connectivity, and be handed over with a teacher training under the Global Filipino School (GFS) program. This has been the long-term goal in educational initiative of Globe to pursue and transform selected public schools into centers of excellence in information and communications technology with innovative teaching methods.
Fernando Esguerra, Director for Globe Corporate Social Responsibility said, “Globe is confident that through shared connectivity and advanced teaching methods with the blend information and communications technology, we can be instrumental in increasing the quality of learning in the public sector.”
Indahag and Fr. Masterson were chosen as the first beneficiaries of the expanded program upon recommendation of Ayala Foundation, Inc. (AFI) which now serves as the lead implementing arm of Globe for the teacher training component. The two schools are among the 11 schools in the pipeline with AFI for the establishment of the Teacher Training Institute.
For AFI partner schools, the foundation are responsible to tie up with local government units and develop good relationship to equp infrastructure materials for the program such as the computer lab and collaborative working space to help upgrade and enhace student learning.
In conducting teaching workshops for neighboring schools of each division, All schools under the GFS program are intended to become teacher training hub and training partners of the Department of Education Division Offices . Each GFS will have a mobile laboratory which consists of netbooks/tablets, mobile projectors, printers, and sound systems. Components of which are Enhanced by internet connectivity, the GFS program will give teachers huge edge on accessing into limitless teaching and learning engagements available on the internet. The program believes that this will help to further improve, develop and hone their craft make learning fun and interesting for the students.
