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Globe Turns Over Global Filipino Schools (GFS) Program to DepEd
PHOTO CAPTION: (From left to right) Yoly Crisanto, Globe Chief Sustainability Officer and SVP for Corporate Communications; G.H Ambat, DepEd Asst Secretary; Atty. Tonisito Umali, DepEd Undersecretary; and Miguel Bermundo, Head, Globe Citizenship
Globe Telecom turns over to the Department of Education (DepEd) its Global Filipino Schools (GFS) program, which was designed to forward 21st-century learning principles and information and communications technology (ICT) integration in public schools nationwide to help uplift the state of the country’s educational system.
By carrying out the management of GFS, DepEd would be able to monitor closely how technology improves teaching and learning for possible replication in other public schools not covered by the program.
“Nation-building starts in the classroom, so we want to make sure that we equip our future leaders with 21st-century skills and knowledge. Initiatives like GFS that introduce new ways of educating our youth are very important in helping the country keep pace with the rest of the world. We are looking forward to having more public schools adopt technology through internet connectivity and mobile tech solutions that GFS provides,” said Tonisito M.C. Umali, Esq., Undersecretary for Legislative Affairs, External Partnerships, and Project Management Service.
On the other hand, Yoly Crisanto, Globe Chief Sustainability Officer and SVP for Corporate Communications, said: “Technology and innovation are major drivers of progress, and we recognize their importance in improving performance and facilitating learning of students and teachers. With GFS now under DepEd, we hope to open doors for more public schools to experience an education that is not limited to the four corners of the classroom and not bound by physical textbooks or paper and pen so that borderless learning can take place.”
Crisanto added that Globe will continue to support the use of technology in public schools through sharing with DepEd updates on educational innovations and by providing the necessary technology tools and solutions needed by teachers and students.
Launched in 2012, GFS is part of a long-term partnership between Globe and DepEd with support from the private sector and non-government organizations led by Ayala Foundation, Inc. Ahead of its 2020 target, GFS is now being implemented in 218 partner schools in 202 DepEd divisions across 17 Philippine regions, benefitting 331,241 students and 11,666 teachers.
The GFS program provides schools with free internet connectivity as well as ICT tools like tablets, projectors, virtual reality (VR) goggles, casting dongles, Home Prepaid WiFi modems, and mobile phones. Partner schools also receive an intensive teacher training program on 21st-century learning approach, ICT integration in classrooms as well as workshop modules on responsible digital citizenship. Each of the schools, likewise, serves as a teacher training hub in the DepEd division they belong to.
To assess its success upon its implementation, a study released by Taylor Nelson Sofres in 2015 showed the GFS program helped improve digital skills among teachers and students, specifically on using mobile technology and computer software.
The study also showed that the GFS program enabled 21st-century learning outcomes that involve creativity, communication, collaboration, and critical thinking; increased student engagement in classroom activities; as well as helped enhance school culture through readiness in ICT integration.