SUBIC, Zambales — As part of its umbrella CSR Program dubbed “Katuwang Natin Sa Buhay” that aims to develop programs that help uplift the state of its surrounding communities, Redondo Peninsula Energy, Inc. (RP Energy) recently launched “iTeach”, an information and communication technology (ICT)-based training program that seeks to help and assist high school-level teachers improve and upgrade their skills in teaching.
Conducted in partnership with the Coalition for Better Education (CBE) and the One Meralco Foundation (OMF), “iTeach” enables public school educators to integrate ICT in teaching basic subjects such as English, Science and Math.
“The overall objective is for public school teachers in our surrounding communities to enhance their teaching skills and serve as mentors to other educators in the area,” Grant Smith, Project Manager of RP Energy said.
The Philippine education sector has been facing serious challenges following the poor performance ratings of public sector students across the country compounded by high dropout rates both in elementary and high school.
While the Department of Education continues to cope with the lack in government funding, the rapid development of technology further endangers the sector of being left behind.
“iTeach’s” five-day training program includes the proper use of ICT applications for classroom activities, online assessment through the use of rubrics, creation of virtual classrooms plus moderated discussion boards and demo-lectures of the modules prepared by the teachers.
Trainees are also taught to mentor at least three teachers in order to pass the assessment of CBE.According to Smith, “the teachers that pass the proficiency assessment automatically earn three units in a masters program should they decide to pursue higher education.”
RP Energy also launched a related competition dubbed “iTeacher of the Year” with Bernard Cambe from the Castillejos National High School as the first-ever awardee with his presentation of an ICT-based education program focused on the importance of solid waste management.
“I am honored to be the first iTeacher of the Year. Through RP Energy, not only will our school acquire a complete computer laboratory, we will also be able to spark change in our community by executing a community-based solid waste management facility that will minimize our carbon footprint.” Cambe said.
The iTeacher of the Year award comes with an ICT package worth Php220,000 that includes ten computer units and a centralized printer for Cambe’s school, Castillejos National High School.
RP Energy is a consortium composed of Manila Electric Company (Meralco) Power Generation Corporation, Aboitiz Power Corporation and Taiwan Cogeneration International Corporation.
It is the developer of an environment-friendly and state-of-the-art 600-megawatt coal-fired power plant at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. The plant is expected to augment the power supply in the Luzon grid when it starts commercial operations.
RP Energy implements its Corporate Social Responsibility projects under the umbrella program called Katuwang Natin Sa Buhay which seeks to establish good stakeholder relations and further community development through initiatives that focus on livelihood and skills development, education, health and sports development, environment and disaster risk management and infrastructure support.
