It’s raining umbrellas and computers!

Heavy rain that started at midnight continued to flood the streets. It was only 5:00 in the morning but most Bicolanos were up and were eagerly waiting for a signal whether to prepare themselves for work or school or to go back to their beds. But no words yet from PAGASA as to the weather update. Cellphones of the CICT-iSchools Team scattered in the different parts of Albay kept on ringing, telling one another to prepare for the worst that might happen because of the heavy rain.

But thirty minutes later, the nine members of the team headed by Mr. Erwin Rayel, the Project Manager, were all together on a truck bound to the six schools in Camarines Sur.

The Team was scheduled to deliver a total of 132 computer units, 6 LCD projectors, 12 computer printers, and 12 airconditioning units from the iSchools Project of the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT) to the six recipient public high schools which are located in the suburbs of Camarines Sur.

While on their way to the six schools, Mr. Rayel feared about many things during the deployment. Computer units might be damaged. And school principals and barangay officials might not be around to receive the computers. It was February 21, 2008, at the height of heavy rains and floods. The classes were already suspended although there was no impending typhoon.

Rain lashed the truck as it slowly inched its way to the knee-deep flooded streets of Barangay Veneracion, Pamplona, Camarines Sur, where Don Mariano C. Veneration National High School was located. It was the first stop of the deployment.

As the truck slowly parked in front of the gate, the team was surprised to see hundreds of umbrellas lined up from the gate to the computer laboratory to protect the computers from the rain.

“The long wait is over,” said Mr. Fernando Macaraig, school principal, as he warmly greeted the team together with the barangay officials, faculty members and students of Don Mariano C. Veneracion National High School.

The next five schools in Camarines Sur were very much ready to receive the computers despite the heavy rain. Just like Don Mariano C. Veneracion National High School, they had with them hundred umbrellas lined up to protect the computers.

“Nothing to fear after all, people will find ways to make things easier in a difficult situation,” said Mr. Rayel, feeling relieved after the deployment. *******

Bicol's libraries available on the Internet

Twenty-five high school libraries in the Bicol Region have organized their resources and made readily available to the public through the Internet.

This was the outcome and continuing commitment of the twenty-five librarians from the fourteen recipient high schools in the region who participated in the Library Management Training held on January 23-27, 2008 at Bicol University, Legazpi City. The fourteen schools are recipients of the iSchools Project of the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT) which integrates computer and internet education in public high schools.

We adapt to the demands of the time by starting to build an organized, readily accessible materials, and user-friendly library,” said Professor Neria E. Gomez, the trainer and University Librarian of Bicol University.

Guided by the Anilag Library Management Module, each of the librarians at the end of the five-day training had already catalogued one hundred books in their school libraries and posted them in the Internet. They also pledged to catalogue a minimum of five books per day until their library resources have been made available in the Internet for public use once they go back to their respective school libraries.

This training is the last part of the series of Educators’ Training conducted by the CICT-iSchools to ensure sustainability of the project. The other two trainings that were already conducted in the recipient schools were the Laboratory Management Training and the Teachers’ Training on ICT Literacy.

As part of the iSchools package, the library is provided with two computer units with internet connection, one for exclusive use of the librarian to guide the students in search of library materials and the other one for students’ use.*******


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Global Bicolanos thru CICT-iSchools

The CICT-iSchools Project is more than just bridging the digital divide but responding to the flat world phenomenon described by Thomas Friedman.

To adapt to the flat world phenomenon and become Global Bicolanos is what the CICT-iSchools Project ultimately aims to realize for Bicolano high school students, teachers, and the community.

The phenomenon

“The world is flat” according to Thomas Friedman, a three-time Pulitzer Prize Awardee, is a global phenomenon of change brought about by technology and innovations. What Friedman means by “flat” is “connected” or “level” in terms of commerce, competition, and opportunities across the planet because of modern technology such as the Internet.

The Bicolanos, if they will not keep up with this global digital revolution, will surely be at a loss.

The response

This is what the CICT-iSchools Project all about. It is more than just bridging the digital divide but responding to the flat world phenomenon described by Thomas Friedman.

The iSchools Project, one of the flagship projects under the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT), equips public high school students and teachers ICT literacy skills and competence so that they can be at par with the rest of the world. It provides to its beneficiary public high schools 21 computer units with one year free Internet connectivity, a 3-in-1 computer printer, an LCD projector, and an air conditioning unit. Thus, it had provided various trainings to the stakeholders for the uniform implementation of the project; and more trainings will be conducted to ensure its success and sustainability.

The iSchools in Bicol

Bicol Region is generally described as slightly undulating to rolling and hilly to mountainous. At a glance, introduction of whatever modern technology seems impossible because of this topography. But it is not what it seems to be. Almost all of the 14 beneficiary high schools, though quite a distance from the city or municipality, have satisfied the requirements and criteria of the project.

The recipient public high schools are the following: (1) Albay: Malilipot National High School, Malabog National High School, Paulba National High School, and Bicol University Integrated Laboratory High School; (2) Camarines Sur: San Jose Municipal High School, Cararayan National High School, Sta. Justina National High School, Sta. Lutgarda National High School, Don Mariano C. Veneracion High School, and San Isidro National High School; (3) Camarines Norte: Froilan Lopez National High School, and Alawihaw National High School; (4) Catanduanes: Catanduanes National High School and Catanduanes National High School – Annex.

These schools have electricity and possible internet connectivity. But none dared to an impossible feat such as Internet provision in these schools until the CICT-iSchools Project came into the scene. Prior to the introduction of the project, Bicolano high school students, teachers, and the community seemed to be forever disconnected to the rest of the world.

Towards Global Bicolanos

The iSchools Project was launched in the 14 recipient public high schools in October 2007. And in February 2008, despite the region-wide flood and heavy rains, the project’s package was finally deployed to the recipient schools. It brought tremendous and overwhelming excitement and anticipation to all the students, teachers, and the community. For them, what seemed to be an impossible and elusive dream such as the Internet in their school and in the community will forever remain a dream. Now, it is their time to see the world without necessarily leaving their place.

The high school students and teachers are the immediate beneficiaries of the project which provides a web-enabled platform so that knowledge will be shared despite the time, distance, geography, and identity. Through the Internet, they will have easy access to the huge various sources of information, the same sources accessed by students from first to third world countries. The teachers will likewise have access to relevant digital content and applications in education for effective learning.

But it is not only the students and the teachers who will reap the benefits of the project, it is the community as well. The members of the community can make use of the computer facility after school hours so that they too will not be left behind in terms of knowledge and change. However, a minimal fee shall be asked from the community for the sustainability of the project, especially if it is finally devolved to the recipient school.

The project truly makes a difference in their lives. It empowers them to be responsible members of the community who will ensure the success of the project.

But ultimately, the iSchools Project will make them Global Bicolanos whose knowledge is at par with the rest of the world. The Global Bicolanos who will never be left behind in terms of knowledge of technology and innovations and job opportunities and privileges.

Indeed, this is how the iSchools Project responds to the flat world phenomenon happening globally.

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