FLORIDABLANCA, Pampanga- Students of a public high school in sleepy Barangay Paguiruan in the outskirts of this town have caught up with the digital age as their school yesterday became the country’s first to have Internet through WiMax or Worldwide Interopera-bility for Microwave Access.
Pres. Arroyo was here yesterday noon at the Paguyiran High School (PHS) to witness the launching of the project called Smart Schools Program (SSP), Smart Communication’s flagship project in the field of education.
Under SSP, PHS will be connected to the Internet via WiMax – the first in SSP’s network of 270 schools, Smart telecom announced.
“WiMax is a telecommunications technology that enables high-speed wireless Internet access to a wider area. Smart is rapidly rolling out its WiMax network to cover unserved areas and provide internet connectivity to places that were once inaccessible,” said Orlando Vea, Smart’s chief wireless advisor.
“It has been our vision to provide Internet for all Filipinos – no matter where they are or what device they’re using. Through WiMAX, Vea said Smart intends to replicate the success it achieved in cellular phones in the field of wireless broadband Internet,” he added.
He said that “apart from connectivity, PHS will receive a Smart Teacher’s Learning Resource Center (STLRC) consisting of two computers, two webcams, a printer and scanner.”
“As an SSP partner, the school will also be given access to online content via the Smart Schools website www.smartschools.ph and receive teacher training in computer literacy, information communication technology (ICT) integration in the classroom, troubleshooting and maintenance, leadership and website development,” he noted.
For her part, PHS principal Jesusa Agustin said that “for the past year, our computer classes only involve learning clerical skills. But now that we have Internet connection, the students have more opportunities to learn.” She added that the school has incorporated computer education in the Technology Livelihood Education (TLE) subject of students from first year to fourth year.
PHS ICT coordinator Chito Ramos said “we have just attended basic Computer Training (from DepEd) and this is our chance to apply what we learned. Now, we can better meet the needs of our students.”
Smart’s Public Affairs Group head Ramon Isberto said even teachers will benefit from the project as “our teachers need to learn, too.”
He said Smart’s promotion of ICT in education via the Smart Schools Program are part of the company’s “Internet for all” advocacy.
“The program also supports the objective of the Department of Education and the Commission on Information and Communications Technology’s Internet Connectivity Project. It is implemented through the Philippine Business for Social Progress, with the support of the Department of Education,” he added.
Pres. Arroyo was here yesterday noon at the Paguyiran High School (PHS) to witness the launching of the project called Smart Schools Program (SSP), Smart Communication’s flagship project in the field of education.
Under SSP, PHS will be connected to the Internet via WiMax – the first in SSP’s network of 270 schools, Smart telecom announced.
“WiMax is a telecommunications technology that enables high-speed wireless Internet access to a wider area. Smart is rapidly rolling out its WiMax network to cover unserved areas and provide internet connectivity to places that were once inaccessible,” said Orlando Vea, Smart’s chief wireless advisor.
“It has been our vision to provide Internet for all Filipinos – no matter where they are or what device they’re using. Through WiMAX, Vea said Smart intends to replicate the success it achieved in cellular phones in the field of wireless broadband Internet,” he added.
He said that “apart from connectivity, PHS will receive a Smart Teacher’s Learning Resource Center (STLRC) consisting of two computers, two webcams, a printer and scanner.”
“As an SSP partner, the school will also be given access to online content via the Smart Schools website www.smartschools.ph and receive teacher training in computer literacy, information communication technology (ICT) integration in the classroom, troubleshooting and maintenance, leadership and website development,” he noted.
For her part, PHS principal Jesusa Agustin said that “for the past year, our computer classes only involve learning clerical skills. But now that we have Internet connection, the students have more opportunities to learn.” She added that the school has incorporated computer education in the Technology Livelihood Education (TLE) subject of students from first year to fourth year.
PHS ICT coordinator Chito Ramos said “we have just attended basic Computer Training (from DepEd) and this is our chance to apply what we learned. Now, we can better meet the needs of our students.”
Smart’s Public Affairs Group head Ramon Isberto said even teachers will benefit from the project as “our teachers need to learn, too.”
He said Smart’s promotion of ICT in education via the Smart Schools Program are part of the company’s “Internet for all” advocacy.
“The program also supports the objective of the Department of Education and the Commission on Information and Communications Technology’s Internet Connectivity Project. It is implemented through the Philippine Business for Social Progress, with the support of the Department of Education,” he added.
