TWO years after launching the program dubbed "3Cs Towards Global Competitiveness," the Rotary Club of Bacolod Central officially turned over the 40-unit computer laboratory to the Negros Occidental High School (NOHS) recently.
The program was made possible through a global grant by The Rotary Foundation with international support from the Rotary Club of Cheongyu-Wawoo of District 3740 in South Korea.
The club also partnered with the NOHS Batch 85.
It was designed to provide a facility that will enable training on contact center services and other information technology subjects to senior high school students and those under the Adult Literacy Program and the Alternative Learning System of the Department of Education (DepEd).
Teachers assigned to implement the program underwent training with the Negros Occidental Language and Information Technology Center (Nolitc) of the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental.
When the project kick-started in February 2020, the first set of students expected to use the facility were night school completers who wanted to work in the business process outsourcing industry.
However, the pandemic brought about by Covid-19 halted the implementation after DepEd shifted classes from face-to-face to modular distance learning.
It was only in April this year when NOHS was cleared to conduct limited face-to-face classes.
Last month, the first batch of trainees completed the program. Out of the 30 enrollees, 26 graduated.
CCS adviser Rossana Tasic reported that 10 are currently employed and three are in training with various BPO companies in Bacolod, four are also working in other industries, two are self-employed and the rest of the graduates are pursuing college degrees.
Assistant principal Donna Aposaga said the school is grateful for the gift that Rotary International gave.
She also paid tribute to the late principal Mario Amaca, who relentlessly pursued and ensured that the dream of having a computer laboratory became a reality.
Nolitc Director Cristina Orbecido said community development can be achieved through collaboration, adding that the Rotary computer laboratory is a testament of government and civic organization like the Rotary Club of Bacolod Central working together towards a common goal.
But more than the equipment, Rotary has given the students more opportunities for their future, she added.
With more face-to-face classes in the coming school year, Tasic intends to utilize the laboratory for specialized ICT classes, including contact center services, medical transcription, empowerment technologies and media information literacy subjects. (PR)