Smart partners with 4 Cavite schools to promote ICT

MANILA, Philippines - Smart Communications, Inc. (SMART) is supporting computer education in four elementary schools in Dasmariñas, Cavite, bringing to 270 its total number of partners under the Smart Schools Program (SSP).

Dubbed as the “university town” of Cavite, Dasmariñas has the most number of universities and colleges in the province. It is also the biggest municipality in the Philippines in terms of population. In District I alone there are 22,500 elementary students enrolled in 15 schools.

“It’s an honor for Dasmariñas that big companies are here to help,” said Rex Manggubat, Sanggunian Bayan Member, education committee. “President Arroyo has already signed the cityhood of Dasmariñas and we’re scheduled to have our plebiscite. Real property taxes will be retained once we become a city so we’ll have better education support and funding. But we’re very grateful for the help of companies like Smart—’di pa kami nakakaumpisa, inumpisahan niyo na.”

SMART donated an Information and Communications Technology (ICT) learning resource package to the following schools in District 1 of Dasmariñas – Dasmariñas Elementary School, Francisco E. Barzaga Memorial School, Humayao Elementary School and Ramona S. Tirona Memorial School. The package includes two computers, two web cameras, a scanner and a printer. Smart is also providing Internet connectivity for one year via Smart Bro.

All four SSP schools were recommended as recipients by Congressional National High School, a long-time SSP partner, which was also named as the best ICT high school implementor in Region IVA by DepEd.

“SMART’s support is timely and relevant to enhance the curriculum,” said District Supervisor Edita Gonzales during the turnover ceremony held at the Dasmariñas Elementary School.

This year, through a budget from the Local School Board Fund, 46 computers and 15 printers were distributed among the 15 schools.