MANILA, Philippines - With more than 54,000 teachers spread out in 14 divisions, the Department of Education (DepEd) in Region 4A (Calabarzon) would sometimes run up quite a bill on long-distance phone calls and fax transmission to ensure timely and accurate dissemination information.
Technology is changing all that. Region 4A is the first in DepEd to employ the Web-based messaging solution called eCast, or electronic broadcast. It is powered by Smart Infoboard, a Web-based group broadcast service that offers various SMS facilities with different functions and capabilities catering to the specific needs of the region.
The service, “DepEd R4A eCast,” makes information dissemination faster and easier through simultaneous sending, or broadcast, to multiple recipients of text messages such as meeting schedules, department advisories, and division memoranda. The process is more cost-effective and time-saving.
DepEd R4A eCast was recently launched at the Sta. Rosa Central II Elementary School in Sta. Rosa City with DepEd Undersecretary for Regional Operations Rizalino Rivera as guest of honor. Top regional officials were also present.
“This will be very helpful because we have schools that are very far from one another, far from the division and regional offices,” Rivera said.
Those who stand to benefit from the new service are DepEd R4A regional officers, division personnel, school superintendents, principals and teachers who are registered eCast users (initially available only to Smart and Talk ‘N Text subscribers).
Those not yet registered may do so using their mobile phones by texting DEPEDR4A REG NAME/SCHOOL AND DIVISION/AGE to 7177642, and then texting DEPEDR4A PUSH ON to 7177642.
Registered eCast users will be able to receive announcements and advisories from DepEd R4A free of charge.
Another eCast feature is the “feedback,” or sending of inquiries. Also available is “mobile office,” or pulling information through SMS for additional facts about a message received, or downloading bite-size teaching tips from content provider Vibal Publishing House.
Confidential matters such as status of salary loan may be accessed through the “mobile exchange” module, which requires an individual password. The “quick poll” feature is designed for casting votes for the different contests held by schools, divisions or districts.
All subscriber-initiated transactions are charged P1 per send or inquiry. To make eCast even more user-friendly, a customized menu is currently being developed and will be ready in two months.
This latest collaboration between DepEd and Smart Communications Inc. brings to fruition DepEd Calabarzon’s vision to be an educational community rooted in a culture of transformation in learning, teaching and school leadership.
Prior to the launch, eCast was piloted in four divisions — Batangas, Rizal, Quezon province, and Sta. Rosa City.