Recipients raise concerns about project implementation

Principals of 80 recipient public high schools (PHS) as well as ICT coordinators of the Department of Education (DepEd) shared their concerns during the iSchools 2009F Regional Project Briefing of the Southern Luzon Cluster on February 22-23, 2010 at the Development Academy of the Philippines, Tagaytay City. The activity, which was attended by 111 participants from the Southern Tagalog and Bicol Regions, aimed to orient the new recipients of the project and to promote awareness of their responsibilities before, during, and after project implementation.

Opening Program

Dr. Divinia C. Chavez, President of Cavite State University (CvSU), welcomed the participants and commended the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT) for the impact of the iSchools Project. She also acknowledged the efforts of the CvSU project management team in hosting the event for CICT. Ms. Antonette T. Torres, Project Manager of the CICT, presented the overall schedule for the briefing. She also thanked the participants particularly those who traveled far and acknowledged their commitment to the project.

Briefing Proper

Ms. Alexcenah S. Sta Ines, CICT project staff, presented a video titled, "Have You Been Paying Attention", which highlighted the emerging trends in information and communications technology among students. This was followed by a briefing through video about CICT and its programs. Ms. Toni Torres discussed the iSchools Project and what are to be expected during the implementation. She also shared learning experiences from the implementation of the previous batches. Ms. Matilde C. Origenes, CICT project staff , presented the draft Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) and highlighted the responsibilities of all the project stakeholders. Mr. Steve Poniente, CvSU instructor, gave an introduction on Open Source software in general and edUbuntu in particular. EdUbuntu is the operating system bundled with the hardware being deployed by CICT to the recipient schools.

Issues and Concerns

"When will the equipment be deployed?", asked many of the participants who are too eager to start the project implementation. A cluster meeting was conducted after the presentations. Representatives from each group being assisted by the different partner State Universities and Colleges (SUC) aired their concerns and some issues for clarification as follows: schedule of implementation, tenure of PTA officers, possible change in leadership due to the coming elections, support to capability enhancement activities, plans in case of natural disasters/calamities, connectivity of remote areas, and additional funds for sustainability of the laboratory. Ms. Alex Sta. Ines and some of the project managers from SUC partners clarified the issues raised by the recipients.

SUC Partners

iSchools 2009F for the Southern Luzon Cluster is made possible through the partnership with six SUCs in Southern Tagalog and five SUCs in the Bicol Region. These are: Cavite State University, Batangas State University, Southern Luzon State University, Laguna University, Romblon State University, Mindoro State College of Agriculture and Technology, Bicol University, Camarines Norte State College, Central Bicol State University of Agriculture, Partido State University, and Sorsogon State College.

With this orientation and lessons learned from the previous batches, it is hoped that the project implementation will run smoothly even after project completion.

iSchools 2009 Project Briefing

The iSchools 2009 Project Briefing for the Southern Luzon and Bicol Regions will be held on February 22-23, 2010 at the Development Academy of the Philippines Convention Center, Tagaytay City. This was announced by Dr. Camilo Polinga, iSchools-CvSU Project Manager and host of the activity.

To ensure smooth project implementation, the briefing will convene principals from 80 beneficiary public high schools (PHSs), ICT coordinators from 22 divisions of the Department of Education (DepEd) and 10 state universities and colleges (SUCs), and the project management staff.

Ms. Toni Tirona, iSchools Project Manager of the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT), will lead the project staff in facilitating the briefing.

iSchools 2007 CILC schedules announced

The Computer and Internet Literacy Course (CILC) will be given to the teachers of recipient public high schools using the building-block approach. The training will be conducted on a 3-2-day scheme instead of the usual 5 straight days training.

Dr. Camilo A. Polinga, project manager, released the following schedule:

August 28-30 and Sept 18-19
1. San Juan NHS, Cainta, Rizal
2. Pintong Bukawe NHS, San Mateo, Rizal

Sept 4-6 and Sept 25-26
1. Emilio Aguinaldo NHS – Pasong Buaya Annex, Imus, Cavite
2. Bagbag NHS, Rosario, Cavite
3. Cabuyao NHS, Cabuyao, Laguna

Sept 11-13 and Oct 2-3
1. Pedro Mendiola Sr. Memorial NHS, San Jose, Occ. Mindoro
2. San Jose NHS, San Jose, Occ. Mindoro

The following International Computer Driving License (ICDL) passers of Cavite State University will serve as the CILC trainors:
1. Gladys G. Perey
2. Floricel Manimtim
3. Amy B. Buenaventura
4. Michelle L. Manalo
5. Lea R. Caraig
6. Lydia P. Nosa
7. Charlotte B. Carandang
8. Vanessa G. Agustin

Dr. Polinga designated the following members of the training management group:
1. Dr. Elizabeth E. Polinga
2. Dr. Camilo A. Polinga
3. Engr. Efren R. Rocillo
4. Engr. Danielito R. Escano
5. Ms. Emeline E. Guevarra
6. Ms. Aileen A. Ardina
7. Mr. Dindo Marges
8. Mr. Arnel Alegre

PC deployment completed

Dr. Camilo A. Polinga, project manager of iSchools-CvSU, announced the completion of hardware deployment and laboratory installation in the iSchools 2007 beneficiary schools as follows:

August 19
1. San Juan NHS, Cainta, Rizal
2. Pintong Bukawe NHS, San Mateo, Rizal

August 20
1. Emilio Aguinaldo NHS-Pasong Buaya Annex, Imus, Cavite
2. Bagbag NHS, Rosario, Cavite

August 21
1. Cabuyao NHS, Cabuyao Laguna - August 21

August 26
1. San Jose NHS, San Jose City, Occidental Mindoro
2. Pedro T. Mendiola Sr. Memorial NHS, San Jose City, Occidental Mindoro

The Computer and Internet Literacy Course (CILC) will be conducted in the coming weeks to train the teachers in these schools.

iSchools project revises CILC curriculum

CICT convenes the ICT coordinators and trainers from 25 partner SUCs on January 19-21 at the Cavite State University in Indang, Cavite to determine the right curriculum for the Computer and Internet Literacy Course (CILC). CILC is one of the training workshops provided to teachers of the recipient public high schools for strengthened classroom learning and instruction through integration of ICT.

Dr. Lloyd Espiritu, professor of Instructional Systems Technology at De La Salle University in Manila, provides the framework for the workshop proper. Ms. Toni Tirona, iSchools project head of CICT, leads the project management staff in facilitating the activity.