MANILA, Philippines — Selected underserved schools in Ormoc, Leyte will soon benefit from mobile technology, 21st century teaching tools and educational content as PLDT-Smart Foundation (PSF) recently donated Smart School-in-a-Bag units to Department of Education (DepEd)-nominated institutions in the province.
Following a ceremonial turnover in November to memorialize the fifth anniversary of Typhoon Yolanda, digital learning packages were donated to Hugpa Elementary School, Mahayahay Elementary School and Inaad Elementary School, making them the first School-in-a-Bag beneficiaries for 2019.
Led by PSF president Esther Santos, foundation and Smart Communications (Smart) representatives turned over a teacher’s laptop, Smart pocket WiFi, projector, DVD player, and five student tablets to each of the three remote schools.
PSF’s donated tablets are pre-installed with educational content that include Learn Smart literacy apps developed in partnership with the DepEd and academic institutions nationwide: the Bahay Kubo Tagalog app, Kaalam Cebuano app, Taallam and Tahderiyyah Arabic apps, and Matigsalug app for the Matigsalug tribe of Davao and Bukidnon.
Teachers also receive training and full program support from program partners.