DepEd partners with Intel to train 8,000 teachers on science, math

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Education (DepEd) has forged a partnership with Intel, the world’s largest maker of computer chip, to train at least 8,000 public elementary and high school teachers this year to improve the teaching of science and math in the country.

Arlita Narag, corporate affairs manager of Intel-Philippines, said some 9, 698 pre-service and in-service teachers were trained through Intel Teach program last year.

There are now 84,340 teachers that were trained through the Intel Teach program since it was implemented in 2000, Narag said.

“Intel’s approach to global citizenship includes an annual $100 million commitment to improving education around the world,” she said.

Meanwhile, an alliance of international software companies has launched a regional campaign that would protect the public, especially the youth, against dangers and security threats posed by the Internet.

The Business Software Alliance (BSA) said the campaign dubbed “B4USurf” aims to help teachers, parents and the youth understand and avoid the many risks they face while using the Internet.

The campaign includes the launching of an Asia-wide cyber-safety and educational website, www.b4usurf.org, which contains materials, resources and activities covering topics ranging from intellectual property rights and Internet safety to the use of software tools in monitoring online activities.

Tarun Sawney, BSA director for Anti-Piracy for Asia, said the number of Internet users in Asia is growing at a faster rate than the worldwide average.

“Between 2000 to 2007, Internet users in Asia grew by 346.6 percent, compared to the world average of 265.6 percent,” Sawney said.

According to the December 2007 Internet Usage Statistics from Internet World Stats, Asia has 38.7 percent of Internet users worldwide.

“This year, the AC Nielsen estimated that the number of Internet users in the Philippines will reach 24 million,” Sawney said. “With the availability of affordable computers, this might further increase by 50 percent every two years.”

The “Young Filipino Internet User Report 2007” found that research, social networking and gaming are the primary reasons why Filipino youth use the Internet, Sawney said.

Sawney said children are more updated with the latest trend in the Internet than their parents.

He urged schools to adopt a curriculum on cyber ethics and cyber safety for students aged 10 to 18 years old. He also encouraged parents to reinforce the message at home on this important issue.

“We also look to government to play an increasingly active role in the education of the Internet in schools as the present and future generations will immerse themselves in the digital age,” Sawney said.

In a written statement, Education Secretary Jesli Lapus lauded the BSA campaign to educate the youth on cyber-wellness, cyber-ethics and cyber-safety.

“As the Department of Education continuously advocate for the integration of ICT (information and communications technology) in teaching and learning, we recognize the Internet’s potential to provide easy access to all sorts of vital information and materials,” Lapus said.

“With its accessibility and growing popularity, especially among the youth, there is also a great risk for them to become unsuspecting victims of unpleasant and even harmful elements found in the Internet,” he said.

“We therefore encouraged teachers, parents and students to visit the B4USurf website and make use of the available information and materials therein,” Lapus said.