Preloaded prepaid SIM cards are distributed to teachers nationwide

Over 6,000 teachers from 146 public schools nationwide have received connectivity assistance from Globe Telecom and Ayala Foundation for the delivery of distance or blended learning to the teachers in support of the Department of Education’s (DepEd) Sulong Edukalidad Program.

As Ayala Foundation’s partner for e-learning, Globe provided the teachers with SIM cards preloaded with 5GB data valid for 30 days to jumpstart their online lessons. Based on recent DepEd statistics,  49% of almost 700,000 teachers nationwide who responded to the DepEd survey do not have their own internet connection despite having mobile data signals in their area. 

“DepEd’s partnership and collaboration with the public and private sectors are very important to ensure that quality basic education will continue despite the challenges posed by COVID-19.  We are truly grateful to all our partners especially to Globe and Ayala Foundation for providing connectivity assistance to help us upskill and reskill our teachers in order to realize the much-needed reforms in basic education, even during the pandemic,” said Tonisito M.C Umali, Esq, DepEd Undersecretary for Legislative Affairs, External Partnerships and Project Management Service.

Yoly Crisanto, Globe Chief Sustainability Officer and SVP for Corporate Communications said:

“This is a critical period for the education sector. A lot of adjustments have to be made. That is why Globe continuously looks for ways to empower our teachers and students not just through connectivity but also by building their capabilities using  information and communications technology so they can fully adapt to the new learning mode.”

The SIM card distribution is part of the Brigada ng Ayala Program which aims to provide holistic intervention to the public school sector.  In the past, Brigada focused on volunteer activities where members of the Ayala Group of Companies contributed through repainting activities and clean-ups among others.  Due to the shift in requirements under the pandemic, Brigada ng Ayala pivoted by coming out with the much-needed assistance for teachers under the new normal.

Ayala Foundation President Ruel Maranan said: “The Ayala group is steadfast in its support for public education efforts, especially now that we are collectively facing the COVID-19 challenge. Through Brigada ng Ayala, we continue to serve our teachers and learners nationwide by providing much-needed health and safety kits, as well as connectivity support to facilitate online learning and access relevant educational content online."

Globe’s support for public school teachers includes free professional development for educators under the Global Filipino Teachers program. This initiative combines webinars and downloadable self-paced materials on topics such as digital literacy, parental support on digital learning, responsible online behavior, effective 21st-century approaches to early language literacy, and psychological first aid.  

Likewise, Globe provides free data access for its customers who want to visit the DepEd Commons, PHL CHED Connect and Globe e-Library websites for further learning.   Earlier, the company also donated 1,000 Home Prepaid WiFi to DepEd under the WiFi2Teach program.

As a long-time advocate of quality education and sustainable development, Globe is committed to supporting the United Nations Development Goal No. 4 which promotes inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all.

For more information about Globe sustainability efforts, visit https://www.globe.com.ph/about-us/sustainability.html