The Smart Schools Program is a community service initiative of Smart Communications Inc., in partnership with the Philippine Business for Social Progress, with the support of the Department of Education and Microsoft's Partners in Learning Program.
The Smart Schools Program is a community service initiative of Smart Communications Inc. that promotes Information and Communications Technology in basic education through partnerships with public high schools, its officials and parents-teachers-community associations (PTCAs). Specifically, it aims to provide public school teachers with Internet access through the PLDT group's wide range of communications solutions, access to online content and teacher training. It is implemented through the Philippine Business for Social Progress, with the support of the Department of Education and Microsoft's Partners in Learning Program.
- Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP)
PBSP, through its regional offices, is the implementing arm of the Program. PBSP conducts groundwork for Smart Schools, facilitates renovation works and equipment turnovers, coordinates ICT trainings through the PBSP-affiliated Microsoft's Partners in Learning Program, monitors development milestones, and provides partner schools with capability-building trainings for Program sustainability.
- Microsoft Philippines, Inc.'s Partners In Learning (PIL) Program AND Smart Wireless Engineering Education Program (SWEEP) Partner
The Partners in Learning Program is part of Microsoft's long-term commitment to empower teachers and students to help achieve their fullest potentials by providing greater access to the latest computer technologies and trainings.
It provides Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) trainings to teachers under the Smart Schools Program through the South Eastern College (SEC) or through its partner Universities and Colleges (U&Cs).
Following a training-led deployment, existing SWEEP partner schools (Colleges and Universities) were accredited as PIL partners and underwent trainors' training on MOS. They in turn will provide training to public high teachers who are partners of the Smart Schools Program.
- Department of Education (DepEd)
DepEd, through its Adopt-a-School Program, supports the Smart Schools Program through the assistance of its division offices. The agency provides tax incentives to private institutions that assist in the upgrading and modernizing of public schools.
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The SMART Schools Program is anchored three components, namely:
- Access
- Content
- Training
Access
The Program offers one year, free of charge, unlimited Internet access and connectivity through the PLDT group's wide range of connectivity solutions, depending on the school's requirements.
Content
The Program will offer hosting solutions, which include access to relevant on-line information such as curricula resources, learning portals, e-groups, chat rooms, and e-learning multimedia materials.
Training
In partnership with Microsoft's Partners in Learning Program and the SWEEP schools, the Program offers ICT trainings for teachers and identified non-teaching partners (i.e. PTCA, LGU, and school administration personnel).
Furthermore, to address long-term sustainability, the Smart Schools Program will offer business training for school stakeholders.
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The Smart Schools Program was launched in a series of activities from December 5 to 7, 2004. A press briefing was held in Cebu City to officially announce the Program. The second activity was through the PLDT Group's participation at the 1st ICTs in Basic Education organized by the Foundation for Information Technology in Education (FIT-ED) at the Waterfront Convention Center in Cebu City from December 6 to 7, 2004.
The Smart Schools Program has three pilot schools: Malabon National High School (MNHS) in Malabon City for Luzon, Science and Technology Education Center (STEC) in Lapu-Lapu City for the Visayas, and Jolo National High School in Jolo, Sulu for Mindanao.
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