Preschool students of Salvacion Elementary School in Ormoc can now use digital tools for learning. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
As Smart donates tablets, laptop, projector, mobile WiFi to Salvacion Elementary School
The three preschool children sitting in the front row couldn’t keep still, fidgeting in their seats or suddenly standing up and sometimes talking too loudly until they are hushed by their teacher.
When the Smart-powered TechnoCart was rolled next to them, their excitement reached fever pitch.
“Naay tablet, naay tablet (there’s a tablet, there’s a tablet)!” Salvacion Elementary School kindergarten students Ryan Rivera, Giovanne Galan and Carl James Landero chorused, pointing at the green cart housing the components of Smart Communications’ mobile digital laboratory.
Kindergarten teacher Christopher Magallanes said they’ve been anticipating this moment since August, when they first learned they were going to be the beneficiary of a TechnoCart learning package. The 2×2 sq. ft. cart contains 20 tablets for students, as well as a laptop, projector and mobile WiFi for the teacher. Each tablet is preloaded with Batibot, the first mobile application in Filipino that is aligned with the kindergarten curriculum of the Department of Education.
TechnoCart units are donated to schools by Smart, or by individuals and organizations wanting to help spread the benefits of digital learning to more public schools.
“We’re very thankful for this generous donation. Dako kaayo matabang ani sa mga bata. Labi na kay apil na ang mobile app na Batibot nga in line pud sa among curriculum (This will be a big help to our kids. The Batibot educational app is in line with the kindergarten curriculum and will be a handy teaching tool),” he added during the turnover of the TechnoCart to the school last November 3.
Helpful gift
A high school student from Makati, Gabriela Aldaba, raised funds to sponsor a TechnoCart for Salvacion Elementary School. Aldaba raised P100,000, which was matched by Smart to provide one TechnoCart.
“I wrote letters to my titos and titas, family friends and anyone interested in giving some amount. Fortunately, more than 10 people responded, and we were able to raise over P100,000,” Aldaba said, adding they used the excess funds to buy other things the preschool kids needed, such as bags and slippers.
Aldaba picked Salvacion Elementary School in consultation with her mother Sally Aldaba, Smart vice president for corporate communications, to pay homage to her roots.
Her great-great-grandfather settled in Salvacion and was a former mayor of Ormoc.
The current city mayor Richard Gomez said introducing technology in education, especially in government-run schools where there are a lot of underprivileged children, was important as it would level up learning and open students to the digital world.
Level up learning
Schools Division Superintendent Dr. Pedro Escobarte said the technology tools and solutions would improve the output of public schools and help learners catch up with their private school counterparts.
He added that they would knock on the hearts of well-off residents, groups and companies to bring the TechnoCart to each of the 92 public schools in Ormoc.
Those interested to donate Smart TechnoCarts may e-mail TechnoCart@smart.com.ph for more information.