DICT Tech4Ed Program at GSAT

The new information initiative of the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT), the Tech4Ed Project, at Glan School of Arts and Trades (GSAT), aims to establish a sustainable delivery channel for relevant ICT-enabled services and content for socio-economic development of unserved and underserved communities towards improvement of quality of life.

The Tech4Ed Project was launched February 7 at GSAT, in conjunction with the Philippine Community eCenter Program (PCCP), to provide critical e-government and ICT-enabled services in communities with minimal or no access to information and government services, such as birth certificates, NBI clearance, passports, etc.

Aside from the Tech4Ed center, the program includes content development, capability building, and advocacy and promotion, which Engr. Virgil Fuentes, of DICT Region XII, explained are designed to promote socio-economic development of communities, ensure the availability of competent,Tech4Ed knowledge workers, increase awareness, appreciation and support for the Tech4Ed Project.

The DICT also collaborated with the Rotary Club of Quezon City, the National Library, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Starbooks to put together updated e-libraries in some 3,200 Tech4Ed centers nationwide. GSAT Tech4Ed Center had been provided with 118 brand-new computers where knowledge and critical information can be had by the students at their fingertips.

“Aside from the books, our private and government partners have provided us with the necessary tools to enable us to reach out to our target clients: students, PWDs, women, senior citizens, OFW and their families, teachers, and out-of-school youth,” Engr. Fuentes said at the launch.

The tools consist of eGovServ for government services and application forms, eAssist to empower special sectors through access to necessary skills training content in answer to specific industry needs, eEduSkills for delivery of e-Learning on demand to address the education gap, eAgri to provide contents and services on agriculture technologies for farmers and fisher folks, and eMarketPlace to provide greater market reach beyond the entrepreneur’s community for exponential economic growth and opportunities.

The Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Technical Education and Science Technology (TESDA), and Philrice also contributed to the program’s content, namely, e-Skwela, LEAP (Learning English Application for Pinoys) with the University of the Philippine (UP), Skills Training, and Agricultural training, respectively.

In brief remarks, Mayor Victor James B. Yap, Sr. lauded GSAT for initiating the program in the public schools, which he said would bring hope to many of our marginalized young people and help the local government realize its dream of “zero” out-of-school youth in the municipality.

“Your information technology program will provide opportunities for our students and the community at large to gain access to education for more gainful employment at home or abroad,” he added.

Aside from the GSAT faculty, staff, and students, also in attendance were Arnulfo C.Tava, Head, Vocational Dept.; Judith Alba, of the Sarangani Division  of Schools; Lolita C. Elueterio,, Head, RSD Dept; Glenda L. Elem, Secondary School Principal I, and Engr. Damian Carizan, Tech4Ed Region 12.

GLAN WEATHER STATION