THE DEPARTMENT  of Information and Communications Technology has launched six Technology for Education, Employment, Entrepreneurs and Economic Development centers in San  Fabian, Pangasinan to “fast track the provision of Internet connectivity and ICT resources in the provinces”  as part of preparations for the upcoming school year.

The Tech4ED Project provides access points for individuals and communities to bridge the digital and education divide. It 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.

“Through this program, we want to do our best to bridge the digital divide to support the opening of classes,” said DICT-Luzon Cluster 1 Director Leo Ugto.

Ugto added that the Tech4Ed project will help households adapt to the new normal in education.

“Amid Covid19 circumstances, ICT is very vital in education’s new normal. But in many areas in the country, the digital divide still prevails. Many households do not have access to the internet, gadgets, or both,” Ugto noted.

The six new Tech4ED centers 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 the San Fabian Integrated School SPED Center.

Computers were also incorporated with the ‘Tech4ED Platform’ which houses resource segments such as ‘eEduSkills’  that contains e-learning modules, and ‘Starbook’ as well as thousands of learning materials in text, audio and video.

Tech4ED will enable all students, teachers and the general public to cope with the blended learning approach.

The DICT has also donated computer packages to Balaoan and Naguilian in La Union which would also have Tech4ED centers soon.

Since 2016, the DICT has launched 233 Tech4ED centers in Region 1, of which 44 are in Ilocos Norte, 46 are in Ilocos Sur, 11 in La Union and 132 in Pangasinan.

The  DICT stressed that Tech4ED is a vital component of the DICT’s Digital Philippines Vision under the Digital Classrooms component.

The program provides a venue for studying, work, and availing of online government services in digitally underserved and unserved areas of the country.