CICT thru BU launches iSchools in Bicol

By Viveth N. Gonzales

Series of community mobilization in the recipient public high schools seals the mission of iSchools in Bicol

The Commission on Information and Communications Technology with Bicol

University as its implementing partner launched the iSchools Project in the 14 recipient public high schools in Bicol through a series of stakeholders’mobilization and project briefing in October 2007. The project aimed to increase the ICT ability of the Bicolano pubic high school students as well as of the community.

Local officials, school principals, teachers and students of the recipient public high schools, and other community stakeholders attended the mobilization. Dr. Amelia S. Dorosan, Dean of BU College of Science and Mr. Erwin P. Rayel, BU ICT Coordinator and Project Manager, facilitated the series of mobilization.

The iSchools Project

The iSchools is one of the flagship projects of the CICT that strengthens classroom learning and instruction by expanding access to various sources of information like the Internet. To ensure its sustainability, the project involves the participation and pledge of the community in ensuring the safety of the computers after school hours and the use of the Internet for a minimal fee.

Rayel and Dorosan explained in the mobilization the project’s objectives and components. They said the CICT will provide each recipient public high school 20 computer units and a server with one-year free Internet subscription: 15 in the Internet laboratory, 3 in the faculty room, 1 in the library, and 1 in the principal’s office; LCD projector and 3-in-1 printer are also included in the package. Relevant educators’ trainings for the administrators and teachers, lab managers, librarians, and selected students and members of the community will also be conducted to ensure the success and sustainability of the project.

iSchools in Bicol

Bicol Region or Bicolandia is one of the 16 regions of the Philippines occupying the Bicol peninsula at the southeastern end of Luzon Island. It consists of six provinces namely Albay, Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Sorsogon, and the island provinces of Masbate and Catanduanes. Of the total 22 public high schools identified as recipients of the project, 14 of which would be under the concern of Bicol University while the other 8 by Sorsogon State College. The CICT chose the 14 public high schools based on a set of criteria like accessibility of the place, commitment of the school and the community, and possible connectivity to a communication network.

The list of recipient public high schools is as follows:

· Albay
1. Malilipot National High School (Malilipot, Albay)
2. Malabog National High School (Salvacion, Daraga, Albay)
3. Paulba National High School (Paulba, Ligao, Albay)
4. Bicol University Integrated Laboratory High School (Legzpi City)
· Camarines Norte
1. San Jose Municipal High School (Brgy. Boclod, San Jose, Camarines Sur)
2. Cararayan National High School (Cararayan, Naga City)
3. Sta. Justina National High School (Sta. Justina West, Buhi, Camarines Sur)
4. Sta. Lutgarda National High School (Cabusao, Camarines Sur)
5. Don Mariano C. Veneracion High School (Veneracion, Pamplona, Camarines Sur)
6. San Isidro National High School (San Isidro, Libmanan, Camarines Sur)
· Camarines Sur
1. Froilan Lopez National High School (Man-ogob, San Vicente, Camarines Norte)
2. Alawihaw National High School (Man-ogob, San Vicente, Camarines Norte)

· Catanduanes
1. Catanduanes National High School (Constantino, Sta Catalina, Virac, Catanduanes)
2. Catanduanes National High School – Annex (Constantino, Sta Catalina, Virac, Catanduanes)

Response of the School

“Now, we are sure we would be connected with the rest of the country and with the rest of the world,” said Mrs. Belinda Reyes, principal of Paulba High School as regards the introduction of the project in their school.

The CICT said empowerment thru ICT of the schools and the community is the project’s main goal.


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