Eight recipient schools pledge to sustain iSchools

As part of their commitment to sustain the iSchools, the parent teacher community association of each of the 8 iSchools developed their “business plan” during the conclusion of the Sustainability Planning Workshop in Tacloban City last October 16-18, 2007. This is to ensure sufficient funds to maintain their computer laboratory and their Internet connections.

The plan defined the approach in managing computer laboratories by following the business models introduced by the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT). Plan included both financial and operational strategies.

The following business models were adopted by each iSchool:

Name of iSchool	Business Model Adopted
Abra de Ilog National High School Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro	AsC SME Model
Baco National High School Dulangan II Annex Dulangan II, Baco District, Oriental Mindoro	iSchools eSkwela Model
Culion National High School Culion, Palawan	AsC SME Model
Pag-asa National High School Pag-asa, Bansud, Oriental Mindoro	Adopt a SchoolModel
Puerto princesa City Science High School Sta. Monica, Pto. Princesa City	Training Center Model
Roxas National Comprehensive High School Roxas, Palawan	AsC SME Model
Sandoval National High School Sandoval, Narra, Palawan	iSchools eSkwela Model and Training Center Model
San Miguel National High School San Miguel, Pto. Princesa City	AsC SME Model and Training Center Model

WPU will consolidate and submit the plan to the CICT.

Other Related Links (to be uploaded):

Updates on computer laboratories of iSchools

iSchool Profiles

Detailed Business Models

Bridging digital divide in the far flung areas of Mindoro

On February 21, 2008 the Baco National High School Dulangan II Annex (BNHS), Oriental Mindoro, a school across the river, received 21 personal computers with open source applications, 1 year internet connection, wireless connection at the laboratory, wired connection at the library, faculty, principal’s offices (cost of wiring is counterpart funding from the school, multimedia projector, 3-in-1 printer, UPS, webcam (server only)‏ and 2 air conditioners — the second online connections on the island—from the Commission on Information and Communication Technology (CICT), implemented in collaboration with it’s partner state university, the Western Philippines University.

The Computer and Internet Literacy Course (CILC) at BNHS followed on March 3 to 7, 2008. The teachers were trained with the basic operation system using the Edubuntu, a free open office system.

Participating teachers were all eager to attend the training, in fact, the school Principal Elizabeth A. Maravilla even requested that she be allowed to sit and participate.

“Learning about the use of computers, will be of great help for us teachers, more so, if the teachers will be able to access teaching material from the internet.” Maravilla mentioned.

In both events, the delivery and the conduct of training, Occidental Mindoro experienced heavy rains and flooded rivers. Such weather condition only proved the commitment of Parent-Teacher-Community Associations (PTCA) who made an effort of constructing makeshift bridge just to make sure that activities will be in place.

They believe that after all, in a relatively short time, their investments will begin to pay dividends.