Globe iPhone 7 customers helped create a Global Filipino School

Teachers and students of General Santos City SPED Integrated School demonstrate the different things that can be done with the mobile lab donated by Globe Telecom and its customers.

Thousands of Globe Telecom customers who availed of the new iPhone 7 contributed significantly in the creation of a Global Fiipino School (GFS) in General Santos City which allows teachers and students to access 21^st century learning within and beyond the classroom.

With iPhone 7 and Globe myLifestyle Plan, customers were not only able to get the phone of their dreams but also had the opportunity to give back to various communities through the Globe of Good bundle.

For every approved iPhone 7 renewed contract, Globe made a donation to selected partner causes which included the GFS program.  For this activity, all proceeds went to General Santos City SPED Integrated School (GSCSIS) where one-fourth of the 4,000 student population comprises of kids with special needs.

The transformation of GSCSIS into a GFS not only benefits regular students but also the special children who require online therapy and learning engagements using information and communications technology (ICT).

GSCSIS received from Globe and its customers a GFS Creative Space which is a multifunction ICT laboratory complete with netbooks, tablets, and projectors powered with superior internet connectivity.  The Lab can be used in every class across different subject matters to encourage creativity, communication, collaboration, and critical thinking.

At the same time, the school was provided with teacher training to empower the teachers with skills to seamlessly use ICT tools in their subject expertise.  The teachers were also coached to share such knowledge to their colleagues to benefit more learners.

“The importance of ICT in education cannot be overly emphasized as it is a necessary tool in improving learning. Mobile internet adoption and the availability of affordable data-capable gadgets make it easier now for both students and teachers to access a vast library of information previously out of their reach.  Thus, we are grateful to all our customers who renewed their postpaid plans for the new iPhone 7.  With their support, we were able to bring 21^st century learning to more teachers and students in public schools,” said Yoly Crisanto, Globe Senior Vice President for Corporate Communications during the Creative Space turnover ceremonies in GSCSIS.

At present, many public schools are still missing out on the benefits of ICT, prompting Globe to help address the concern through GFS.  The program, which started in 2012, intends to transform at least one school in each of the 221 school divisions under the Department of Education into centers of ICT excellence within the next four years.  By the end of 2016, Globe expects the program to be implemented in 80 untapped school divisions in the National Capital Region, CALABARZON, Central Visayas, Northern Mindanao, and Davao regions representing 80 schools with combined student population of about 120,000.

Thus, Region 12 Assistant School Division Superintendent Mario M. Bermudez, CESE, expressed his gratitude to Globe for helping provide quality education to the students in GenSan.

“The implementation of the K-12 curriculum is very challenging to DepEd knowing that there are many trials ahead but then these challenges are lightened by the support coming from our stakeholders like Globe.  Educating our 123,000 elementary and secondary school students in the division of General Santos is not that easy if DepEd will do it alone. That is why we are very happy that at last we have come to a point where our partnership with Globe is getting solid, more functional.  Our partnership will continue as long as our education officials and our teachers are equipped with the proper attitude, values, and skills. Globe Telecom is guiding us, capacitating us and giving us their support.  What DepEd needs to do is to sustain what has been started,” he said.

Bermudez’ statement was echoed by Agney C. Taruc, focal person of Adopt-a-School Program and Brigada Eskwela in Region 12 who represented Regional Director Arthur Bayocot during the turnover ceremonies.   “To develop 21^st century learners, we need ICT.  This is a very inspiring moment because we can now produce global students in a global Filipino school.  We want this to be the showcase or highlight of Region 12 and we assure Globe that we will do our best so that the objectives of this program will be immediately realized.”

Based on the GFS impact assessment released by Taylor Nelson Sofres (TNS) Global Market Research Company early this year, digital skills among teachers and students particularly on the usage of mobile technology and computer software, showed marked improvement.  Students also became more well-rounded due to increased engagements driven by various pillars under the 21^st Century Learning Framework.  The notable increase in the presence of ICT equipment also resulted in more students and teachers now using ICT in their daily academic proceedings and becoming more engaged in the lessons.

GFS was recently recognized by DepEd as an official partner for the Adopt-A-School Program which aims to provide quality and relevant education to the Filipino youth through private sector participation.

For TM and Globe prepaid and postpaid customers who want to help public school students achieve their dreams, cash donations may be sent by texting GFS to 21580437 (0GFS) and following the instructions in the text messages.  The general public, on the other hand, may deposit any amount to BPI Habitat for Humanity Philippines, Inc., Account No. 2421-0037-45.  For inquiries, please email [email protected].