Meeting gives new light on iSchools project

By Milvi Mae I. Candari

Conference clears doubts and sheds new perspectives regarding the new project.

The Ibajay National High School in Aklan hosted the briefing and consultative conference on the new iSchools Project launched by the Commission in Information and Communication Technology – Human Capital Development Group (CICT – HCDG) on September 18, 2007.
The iSchools Project aims to strengthen classroom instruction learning by expanding access to the iSchools Project of the Commissions on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) through varied multi-media such as the internet.
The conference was called for the seven recipients of the iSchool Project in Aklan: Ibajay National High School, Aguinaldo T. Repiedad Sr. Integrated School, Manuel Onato High School, Capiz National High School, Inapoy National High School, Himamaylan National High School – San Antonio Extension, and Romblon National High School.
Seven principals, four selected teachers, five CILC trainers, two local officials of Ibajay, 15 Parents’-Teachers’-Community Association (PTCA) officers, and 112 selected students as participants of recipient schools attended the briefing and conference.

Issues and concerns raised during the initial visit the previous month were taken up and given immediate and possible solutions.
Issues and concerns were
Limited access to government resources
Lack of training how to manage computer laboratory
Training needed before the deployment of computers
How to operate the Community eCenter
Additional cost for the operation of the project
Maintenance and security of the computers

The project sites were approved as suitable for the project after the evaluation conducted by the sponsors. The recipients were accessible to the national road, had existing electricity, computer laboratories, telephone lines for Internet access, and ready teachers for the establishment of the iSchools Project.
The recipients and the local community were clarified of the benefits of the project.
The principals arranged and organized the schedule of the onsite stakeholders’ meeting in their respective schools with the following schedules
September 20, 2007 (PM) – Aguinaldo T. Repiedad Sr. Integrated School
September 21, 2007 (AM) – Manuel Onato National High School
September 21, 2007 (PM) – Capiz National High School
September 24, 2007 (AM) – Romblon National High School
September 27, 2007 (PM) – Inapoy National High School
September 27, 2007 (PM) – Himamaylan National High School