News and Features
Tabuk National High School Of Kalinga Reaches Out To The World
[March 1, 2007/ Manila] - Students of Tabuk National High School (TNHS) now have the world at their fingertips, thanks to Smart Schools Program, a community service initiative of Smart Communications, Inc. (SMART) that promotes the use of Information and Communications Technology in the education sector.
The Tabuk People’s Gymnasium was packed as students representing the TNHS population of more than 3,000 witnessed the formal turnover of the Smart Teacher Learning Resource Center. With 10 of their computers connected to the Internet via Smart Bro, Smart’s wireless broadband solution, access to online information and communication with the rest of the world has never been easier.
“This is a huge leap in making the school competitive in the global arena,” says Dr. Rodolfo Ballog, TNHS Principal. Aside from one-year free Internet connection, Smart provided two PCs and computer peripherals to the laboratory that is expected to become a center for ICT training not only for students and teachers, but members of the local government unit as well.
Mayor Camilo Lammawin Jr. expressed his appreciation for the opportunity granted to his community to keep up with the changing times. Dr. Emilia Bayubay, DepEd Schools Division Superintendent likewise shared her gratitude for the “kalinga to the Kalingas” (caring for the Kalingas).
Under the Smart Schools Program, the school will be taught to construct their own website with Smart shouldering web hosting fees. The program’s website -- www.smartschools.ph -- provides an array of useful information while encouraging an exchange of experiences and knowledge among the partner schools. “You can now make your achievements known to all, maximize the technology,” encourages Darwin Flores, Smart Public Affairs Group, community partnerships senior manager.
Over a hundred public high schools in various parts of the archipelago, from Basco, Batanes to Bongao, Tawi-Tawi, continue to benefit from the Smart Schools Program since its inception in 2004. It is implemented in partnership with the Philippine Business for Social Progress, supported by Microsoft’s Partners in Learning Program, and the Department of Education. @
