Text2Teach goes to Tuguegarao

MANILA, July 3 (PNA) -- Some 16 public elementary schools in Tuguegarao City can now use mobile phone technology for teaching thus, providing them greater access to enhanced learning tools.

Text2Teach is a private sector-led program that utilizes mobile technology for education. Since 2003, over a million public elementary school students and more than 1,700 teachers and school officials in about 250 schools all over the Philippines have benefited from the program.

In partnership of Ayala Foundation, Nokia, the Department of Education, Globe Telecom, and SEAMEO Innotech, Text2Teach targets an additional 350 schools nationwide by 2010.

Education Secretary Jesli Lapus said Text2Teach allows teachers to select from the 387 education videos on Math, Science and English specifically created for the project, providing a highly effective visual aid for teachers.

“This innovative approach to education creates an interactive, student-focused learning environment in the classroom,” Lapus said.

The videos are watched using the 29-inch television sets provided by the project. The lesson plans that come with the teachers’ guides are fully integrated into the basic education curriculum. They were created to meet local education guidelines and standards.

Globe Telecom provides P150 monthly load allowance for one year to be used for helpdesk concerns and additional P1,000 load if there are new or updated materials to be downloaded through the mobile phones using their 3G network.

SEAMEO Innotech conducted the teachers’ training last year for the division of Tuguegarao, with more than 80 school heads, teachers and school officials in attendance. The training ensures the quality and standard of teaching using Text2Teach.

Text2Teach reached Tuguegarao City through the effort of Mayor Delfin Ting and the Tuguegarao City Local School Board, who provided the public sector counterpart to implement the program in the 16 schools. Through Text2Teach, Tuguegarao hopes to help boost the academic performance of its public elementary schools in the national achievement test.

Mayor Ting and DepEd Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Lorna B. Manauis, CESO VI signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Text2Teach alliance represented by Mario Deriquito of Ayala Foundation.

Also present during the MOA signing and turnover ceremony were Simo Hoikka of Nokia (Philippines); Jeffrey Tarayao of Globe Telecom, Elcid Pangilinan of the DepEd and Dr. Erlinda Pefianco of SEAMEO Innotech.