ISPSC iSchools Project Terminal Report

 ISPSC iSchools Project Terminal Report

FOREWORD

Information and Communications Technology (ICT) has pervaded almost every strand in the fabric of society. The global economy today is driven by knowledge. Those who have access to information and make good use of ICT are the most productive and powerful. It is therefore the role of educational institutions, especially basic education, to prepare and enable the learners in the vital skills for this knowledge economy.

 The Department of Education advocates the use ICTs as “a powerful enabler of capacity development… targeted towards specific development goals like ensuring basic education for all and lifelong learning, among others.” In support to the DepEd’s advocacy, the Information and Communications Technology Office (then the Commission on Information and Communications Technology) initiated the iSchools project in 2006 to help establish a Philippine educational system that maximizes the use of ICT in learning.

 For its role in the ICT literacy, the Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College became a partner of ICTO in the implementation of the iSchools project in its service area. ISPSC implemented the iSchools project for three funding years (2006F, 2007F and 2009F) and completed the implementation of iSchools in twenty-seven (27) public high schools in the provinces of Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte, and in some parts of La Union, Pangasinan, and Abra.

Internet connection budget released

iSchools 2006 recipient high schools will soon be connected to cyberspace.

The budget for the Internet connection and subscription for 12 months has already been released by CICT to the partner SUCs. These SUCs are now in the processes of conducting bidding for the Internet connection in their respective area of responsibilities.

ISPSC is responsible for the Internet connection in 9 high schools; 3 in Ilocos Norte, 3 in Ilocos Sur and 3 in la Union. Invitation to bid has been published for interested Internet Service Providers (ISP) to submit their proposals for the project.

Also included in the budget is the registration for a domain name of each of the iSchools 2006 beneficiaries.

More public high schools to get iSchools lab

ISPSC President Dr. Rafael Querubin and iSchools Project Manager for ISPSC Engr. Evangeline Reyes completed the inspection and evaluation of seven national high schools (NHS) in Ilocos Norte and four high schools in Abra for inclusion in the next phase of the iSchools project (2007). The schools visited were the following:
Ilocos Norte: Bacarra NCHS, Bangui NHS, Curimao NHS, Dingras NHS, Paoay Lake NHS, Solsona NHS and Nagrebcan NHS
Abra: Northern Abra NHS, Gaddani NHS, Manabo NHS and Suyo NHS

Of the visited schools, six were found out to have no computer laboratories, while the rest have existing computer laboratories, but many of the computers are not functional anymore. These were recommended to CICT for inclusion in the iSchools Project 2007.

Earlier, Dr. Querubin and Engr. Reyes attended the Project Briefing and Orientation Workshop for the next phase of the iSchools project to map out plans and strategies for the different activities to be undertaken. The workshop was held at the Development Academy of the Philippines in Tagaytay on May 26-28, 2008 and attended by partner SUC Presidents and their ICT Coordinators. It was learned that more SUCs will be involved as partners for the iSchools project implementation to cover more national high schools nationwide.

ISPSC President Dr. Querubin confers with Mr. Bienvenido Balantac of Dingras National High School during the site evaluation of candidate schools for iSchools 2007.

CICT Head Leads Freedom Rites at Baguio City

Secretary Ray Anthony Roxas–Chua III, Chairman of the CICT represented President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in leading the Independence Day celebrations in Baguio City. The Flag Raising and Wreath laying ceremonies was held at the Rizal Monument in Burnham Park. Baguio City Mayor Reinaldo A. Bautista Jr., regional heads of government agencies of the Cordillera Administrative Region and Philippine Military Academy officers assisted Secretary Roxas-Chua.

Right after the flag-raising and wreath laying ceremonies, Secretary Roxas-Chua and CICT Commissioners Angelo Timoteo M. Diaz De Rivera and Monchito B. Ibrahim proceeded to the Baguio City National High School to launch the iSchools computer laboratory.

Secretary Roxas-Chua then proceeded to the Baguio Convention Center where he was joined by Baguio City Mayor Bautista to visit the Sentro K3 (Kagalingan, Kaisahan at Kalayaan ng Bayan) booths put up by government agencies. The booths provided free services to citizens. Secretary Roxas Chua also awarded the President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo Training for Work Scholarships (PGMA-TWSP) to more than 200 near hires who are bound to become full-fledged call center agents after they complete their trainings. This activity is undertaken in cooperation with the TESDA and the Business Processing Association of the Philippines (BPAP).

A giant flag measuring 100 meters long was also unfurled at the Baguio City athletic oval as part of the celebration.

More news at CICT website

Online Writers in Action

This time it's for real...
Online writers from Benguet State University, Ifugao State College of Agriculture and Forestry, Batangas State University, Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College and CICT join hands to get good coverage of the 110th Philippine Independence Day Celebration at Baguio City.

Marife and Johnny apply what they learned from their trainings to get good photos and videos of the event as it happens.

Not to be outdone in the company of professionals, Avery, Johnny, Marife and Femie get a good focus of their cameras on CICT Chairman Chua.

photos by jon p.

iSchools update

CICT targets 320 more high schools in iSchools project

from Inquirer.Net

June is ICT Month

News update from CICT website

Proclamation No. 1521 declared the month of June this year and every year thereafter as National Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Month. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed the Proclamation last May 28, 2008, giving recognition to the vital role that ICT plays in nation building.

National ICT Month is placed under the auspices of the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT), which is the lead government agency tasked to plan, promote and oversee the country's ICT development.