DEPED, GLOBE LINK UP TO PROVIDE FREE INTERNET TO ARMM SCHOOLS

SHARIFF KABUNSUAN COMPLEX, Cotabato City: The Department of Education in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DepEd-ARMM) has partnered with telecommunications giant Globe Telecom Inc. for the launch of the Global Filipino Schools (GFS) program here on Thursday.The GFS is a long-term and modern approach to education that allows modern learning methods to be introduced and implemented in public schools nationwide, according to Globe and DepEd-ARMM. To be introduced to every school division under the ARMM, the program aims to deliver a two-year free Internet connectivity, information and communications technology equipment and proficiency training for teachers on each selected school. Currently, the region has 10 school division offices: Lanao del Sur I-A, Lanao del Sur I-B, Lanao del Sur II, Maguindanao I, Maguindanao II, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, Basilan, Marawi City and Lamitan City. “With the ARMM on board, we are very happy to say that the GFS project is already in the 17th of the 17 regions in the entire Philippines,” Maria Yolanda Crisanto, Globe Telecom senior vice president for communications, said in a news briefing here. “We do not want to be left behind by other nations when it comes to the use of modern technology in schools. We want to be competitive, and a huge part of that competitiveness starts with education,” Crisanto added.DepEd-ARMM Secretary Rasol Mitmug Jr. said he was elated with the partnership with Globe, adding that the program would further strengthen teaching skills for the benefit of the students. “We would like to express our profound gratitude to Globe and ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman for the support to digitize and use new technologies as part of the education system in the region,” Mitmug said. Aside from GFS, Globe is also set to promote the Digital Thumbprint Program that aims to turn students into being responsible online users through restricted access.