When the Principals of the recipient high schools received their computers, they were all smiles. But after the delivery, their smiles waned because all they could see are piles of boxes. They were instructed not to open the boxes and wait for technicians from Advance Solutions, Inc. (the supplier), to install/set-up the machines. It took a week, others 2 weeks, before the smile returned to their faces - this time a much wider and happier smile - when the ASI-partner technicians and the ISPSC iSchool project staff assigned, appeared in their respective schools to open the boxes and set-up the equipments. Finally, they could see, feel, and use their iSchools computers. What they have prepared for quite a long time finally materialized. Their hardships and sacrifices have been rewarded.(more photos at http://www.flickr.com/photos/24235885@N02/ )
The schedule of deployment was finalized by Engr. Evangeline Reyes and Ms. Cecilia Lazarte during the Midstream Planning Workshop at DAPCC, Tagaytay City. The schedule was disseminated to the project staff for their respective assignments. The principals of the recipient schools were then informed by the area coordinators of their schedule. Air21 was contacted by the project manager to confirm the schedules and itinerary of delivery. The ASI-partners were also contacted by the project manager to confirm the schedule of installation/set-up. However, there were some misunderstanding/problems regarding the agreed schedule with Air21. No SUC reps were sent to some schools because of sudden changes in the delivery schedule made by Air21.
The ISPSC Lab High School was set-up first on February 15, 2008. This was followed by 4 schools on February 21, 2008 - Narvacan National Central HS, Don Eulogio De Guzman Mem. NHS, Don Eufemio F. Eriguel Mem. NHS, and Damortis NHS-Patac Annex. The remaining schools were set-up on February 22, except for Batac NHS and ASIST which were done on Feb 23. The ISPSC project staff assigned to the different schools had many stories to tell regarding their experiences during the installation/set-up.
The installation schedule in some schools was delayed because of the scheduled accreditation of five degree programs of the College. The members of the iSchools project staff were assigned in different committees and were not allowed to leave the College during the preparation and actual conduct of the accreditation from Feb 8-15, 2008.
When first contacted, the ASI-partners provided by CICT could not be reached or were not aware of the iSchools project or ASI agreement. It was only a couple of days before the scheduled installation that the ASI-partners were confirmed and the final schedules were set.
There were some units that were found defective during the installation. In Magsingal NHS, one unit was defective. In Don Eufemio F. Eriguel Mem. NHS one unit has defective motherboard and power supply. In Dagupan City NHS, one unit did not function. These were recorded by the ASI-partner tecnicians for reporting to ASI and for repair or replacement. The units need also to be tested for one week (burn-in). The Principals and lab managers in each school were instructed to report to the project manager and the ASI partner technician any additional unit that are found defective during the burn-in.
After the installation of the iSchools labs in the recipient schools, a series of teachers trainings will follow. First will be the Computer and Internet Literacy Course, then the Laboratory Management Training, the Web Development Training, and the Library Management Training.
