DICT launches Tech4Ed in Iligan
ILIGAN CITY - To bridge the digital and education divide, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) launched a Tech4Ed Training Center at Dalipuga National High School, Iligan City.
DICT’s Mindanao Cluster 2 Director, Evamay C. Dela Rosa shared the importance of providing students a means to learn Information Communications Technology (ICT).
“If we don’t introduce technology to our students, they will be left behind. We need to adapt so that we can always be ready for the fourth industrial revolution,” she said.
“The future of work will be different and Technical Education Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and other government agencies are already on their feet, preparing for this,” Dela Rosa added.
She pointed out that ICT is an enabler and a great equalizer.
“As long as we provide access to the people, anyone, men, women, persons with disability, senior citizens, tambays, drug surrenderees, outof-school youth – everyone can use the centre to improve their lives,” Dela Rosa said.
Tech4Ed Project technically means "Technology for Education to gain Employment, train Entrepreneurs towards Economic development."
The project aims to provide access points for individuals and communities to bridge the digital and education divide and harness the power of ICT in society towards creating a progressive countryside.
Tech4Ed promotes grassroots development and opportunities for inclusive growth and poverty reduction. It will give communities access to information, communication, technology, government services, non-formal education, skills training, telehealth, job markets,
and business portals. Tech4Ed has six segments to offer in order to give the marginalized to digital opportunities in the easiest and most accessible way possible.
These are eEduSkills, eAssist, eAssess, mAgri, mMarketplace and eGovServ which all has a special function on a specific purpose from educational, job readiness and business tracking, to government office document transactions.
After the ribbon cutting, DICT gave 30 computer packages to 10 different schools within the city, mostly from the hinterlands, namely: Francisca Paradela Legaspi Memorial School, Bagong Silang Elementary School, Abuno National High School Annex, Severo Sana Memorial School, Bulalang Elementary School, Bunawan Agricultural High School, Dalipuga National High School, Kalubihon National High School, Mimbalot Elementary School and Iligan City National School of Fisheries.
The computers have been pre-installed with Tech4Ed Software Programs that will help not only the learners but also the teachers to hone their ICT skills.
Moreover, these devices will help us advocate the use of technology so that we can address the digital divide, and for us not to be left behind, Dela Rosa said.
So far, 42,000 Tech4Ed Centers have been established all over the Philippines, said Dela Rosa.