President Arroyo to lead turnover rites of first WiMax in Floridablanca

FLORIDABLANCA, Pampanga, Nov. 10 — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will lead Wednesday the turnover ceremony of the first Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax) here, a telecommunications technology that enables high-speed wireless Internet access to a wider area.

This is in line with the government’s continuing efforts to provide Internet connections, computer literacy training and access to on-line content to public high schools, particularly in the countryside.

The turnover rites will be held at the Paguiruan High School (PHS), a recipient of the Smart Schools Program (SSP), Smart’s flagship Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in education initiative.

Under SSP, PHS will be connected to the Internet via WiMax – the first in SSP's network of 270 schools.

Orlando Vea, Smart’s chief wireless advisor said Smart is rapidly rolling out its WiMax network to cover unserved areas and provide Internet connectivity to places that were once inaccessible.

"It has been our vision to provide Internet for all Filipinos – no matter where they are or what device they're using," Vea said in a statement.

Through WiMAX, Vea said Smart intends to replicate the success it achieved in cellular phones in the field of wireless broadband Internet.

"What better way to start blanketing the country with broadband access than by connecting the public school system," he said.

"Our WiMax deployment in Paguiruan is only the beginning,” he added.

Apart from connectivity, PHS will receive a Smart Teacher's Learning Resource Center (STLRC) consisting of two computers, two webcams, a printer and scanner.

As an SSP partner, the school will also be given access to online content via the Smart Schools website www.smartschools.ph and receive teacher training in computer literacy, ICT integration in the classroom, troubleshooting and maintenance, leadership and website development.

"For the past year, our computer classes only involve learning clerical skills. But now that we have Internet connection, the students have more opportunities to learn," said PHS principal Jesusa Agustin.

She added that the school has incorporated computer education in the Technology Livelihood Education (TLE) subject of students from first year to fourth year.

"We have just attended basic Computer Training (from DepEd) and this is our chance to apply what we learned," said PHS ICT coordinator Chito Ramos.

Using the computer, Ramos said their classes can now be more interactive.

"Now, we can better meet the needs of our students,” he said.

For his part, Smart's Public Affairs Group head Ramon Isberto believes that ICT can really help in education – not only for the students, but more importantly for the teachers. "

"Our teachers need to learn, too. That's why the main clients of the SLTC are the teachers. It's a learning facility for them so they can better help their students,” Isberto said.

Smart's initiatives to help promote ICT in education via the Smart Schools Program are part of the company's "Internet for all" advocacy.

The program also supports the objective of the Department of Education and the Commission on Information and Communications Technology's Internet Connectivity Project.

It is implemented through the Philippine Business for Social Progress, with the support of the Department of Education. (PNA)

LAP/jmc/zst/ps

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