DICT ROLLS OUT REMOTE LEARNING CENTERS UNDER TECH4ED PROGRAM

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) launched six remote learning centers in Pangasinan, part of a bid to beef up its digital learning capacity amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The DICT said on Tuesday the centers were part of the Technology for Education, Employment, Entrepreneurs and Economic Development (Tech4ed) program.

Launched in 2016, Tech4ed provides a venue for “studying, working and availing of online government services in digitally underserved and unserved areas of the country.”

“This is part of the DICT’S efforts to fast track the provision of Internet connectivity and ICT resources in the provinces. This is in preparation for the school year 2020 to 2021,” the DICT said in a statement.

The facilities will allow students, teachers, and the general public to access the internet via computers in the center.

Moreover, the facilities are incorporated with the Tech4ed Platform, which houses resource segments such as e-learning modules and science and technology learning materials in various formats such as text, audio and video.

The centers were launched in San Fabian, Pangasinan, by the DICT-LUZON Cluster 1.

They are located in Ambalangan National High School, Anonang National High School, Binday National High School, Mabilao National High School,

San Fabian National High School, and San Fabian Integrated School SPED Center.

The DICT said thetech4ed centers were compliant with health protocols imposed by both the national government and local government units.

“Amid COVID-19 circumstances, ICT is very vital in education’s new normal. But in many areas in the country, the digital divide still prevails,” DICT director Leo Ugto said.

“Through this program, we want to do our best to bridge the digital divide to support the opening of classes,” he added.

The DICT also donated computer packages to the municipalities of Balaoan and Naguilian in La Union during the quarantine period—two local governments that are also set to launch their Tech4ed centers soon.