TO STRENGTHEN the integration of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in the teaching and learning process, the Daniel R. Aguinaldo National High School (DRANHS) launched its Technology for Education, Employment, Entrepreneurs, and Economic Development (Tech4ED) Center through the support of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) on July 20, 2017.
The Tech4ED Project which hinges on the aim to continuously narrow down the digital divide in the Philippines is one of the key programs of DICT, a newly created national government agency through the enactment of Republic Act 10844 - DICT Act of 2015. Its mission is to provide a delivery channel for relevant ICT-enabled services and content for socio-economic development of unserved and underserved communities towards improved quality of life.
A Memorandum of Agreement signing between DICT represented by Engineer Leo Ugto, Mindanao Cluster 3 officer-in-charge and DRANHS represented by Doctor Arlene Bello-Pernes, principal IV, formalized the partnership between the institutions followed by the ribbon cutting ceremony in the center.
Both rites were witnessed by Honorable Reynaldo Capiones, barangay kagawad of Barangay Matina Crossing, who graced the event on behalf of barangay captain Angging Librado, Senior High School (SHS) teachers, and students.
“We are very much thankful to the DICT for choosing DRANHS as one of the recipients of the Tech4ED Project which could help us improve the teaching and learning in this institution,” Pernes said. The school accommodates more than 7000 junior and senior high school learners.
“By this project, the way of learning will be enhanced with the aid of technology and will be more interesting, advanced and fun,” Ivan Claude Hawil, SHS Grade 12 student, expressed after the program.
Nikka Pareja, an SHS Grade 11 student added that this will surely assist the school and nearby communities in upholding digital literacy.
Prior to the official launch, 19 Junior and SHS Teachers of DRANHS were trained for two days by DICT Mindanao personnel to know more about the Tech4ED Project and its available services which can be accessed through its online platform dict.gov.ph/tech4ed as well as to increase engagements towards teaching collaboration through ICT.
This training is in line with the provision of Department of Education’s (DepEd) Order 40 s. 2015 - K to 12 Partnerships which encourages public academic institutions to collaborate with different stakeholders in the Curriculum Development, Teacher Training, and Work Immersion.
“Teachers are the pioneer beneficiaries of this project to bridge the gaps about digital technology to their students.” Ugto stated.
He added that teachers and students must be competent in the field of technology for we are now in the 21st Century.
Regie Rodrigo, a SHS Science Teacher and one of the trainees, shared that the project provides teachers with more opportunities to integrate ICT into their teaching practices which are highly encouraged in the 21st-century classroom.
Other than the establishment of the center, DICT will be one of the school’s stakeholders who will accommodate Grade 12 SHS Students in their work immersion in the second semester of school year 2017-2018.
Work Immersion is one of the SHS subjects and is a requirement for graduation in the Secondary Education. It involves hands-on experiences or simulation in which learners can apply their competencies and acquired knowledge relevant to their track. As a basis for the implementation of this subject, the education department released DepEd Order 30 s. 2017 - Guidelines for Work Immersion. (Kenny Lloyd Angon, Renz Algabre, Renz Ybanez)