Wired to the Future

In todays borderless society, getting connected can spell the difference between progress and privation. This project is making sure that young Filipinos are not left behind.

In todays borderless society, getting connected can spell the difference between progress and privation. This project is making sure that young
Filipinos are not left behind.

Its easy to take the Internet for granted. For many of us, sending e-mail, chatting and perhaps even shopping online are an indispensable part of our lives.

Back in the homeland, Filipinos are fast catching up with the latest technologies. However, in many places across the Philippines, millions more have probably never even seen a computer much less know about the Internet.

This huge gap in access to and use of technology—called digital divide—is apparent at a very basic level, the countrys educational system. For instance, of the 4,000 or so public high schools in the Philippines, only half have a computer laboratory and less than 5 percent of these schools are connected to the Internet. This means that many young Filipinos are unable to benefit from the strides of technology and are ill-equipped for the countrys foray into the information revolution.

So when a public high school in Aklan or Batangas gets a 10-computer laboratory with Internet connection, it opens up a whole new world of learning for hundreds of students and teachers. The availability of Internet in our school is really a big help," says Nieva Gonzales, a fourth year student at the Bauan Technical High School in the province of Batangas. I get the information I need anytime. I learn new things each time I visit our laboratory."

Nieva is just one of thousands of students that now benefit from Internet laboratories in public high schools under Project Youth Tech. Created by Ayala Foundation, Inc., Project Youth Tech is making information technology more accessible to public high schools in underserved communities all over the Philippines.

It is doing so by setting up computer laboratories with Internet access in selected partner schools. Aside from hardware and software, Project Youth Tech also provides hands-on training to teachers in the use of the Internet as a fun and effective learning tool. The project has wired 58 public high schools in 11 provinces: Zambales, Pampanga, Laguna, Cavite, Batangas, Bicol, Negros, Aklan, Cebu, Davao, and the National Capital Region.

Progress to every barrio

The project directly benefits close to 30,000 students and has trained a total of 500 teachers in the use of the Internet and in basic local area network administration. Teachers and principals of partner schools have observed that the Youth Tech laboratory has increased the students level of awareness of computers and the Internet as tools for research and communication. Students find time to research for school projects, learn new computer software or get in touch with parents who work abroad. Teachers use the computer laboratory and the Internet to enhance their methods of teaching.

Dr. Constancia Constantino, principal of the Regional Science School for Region VI in the province of Aklan, says that the projects impact is greater than expected. It is more than a simple computer laboratory. Our community—the students, the teachers, and the parents—is thankful for having been chosen as one of the beneficiaries of this project." Using the Internet, a group of students from the school produced a science research paper that won the top award at the Philippine Science Investigative Research.

No longer isolated from the information superhighway, young Filipinos are also inspired to pursue careers in information technology.
King Arthur Arambulo of Ramon Magsaysay (Cubao) High School in Metro Manila notes: I discovered new interests and potentials while using the Youth Tech laboratory. In fact, I am encouraged to pursue Computer Engineering in college."

Fortunately, many sectors in the Philippines recognize the need to bridge the digital divide beginning at the public school level. The Department of Science and Technology, Department of Education, local government units and local school boards are among those who have partnered with Ayala Foundation to build Project Youth Techs network of computer laboratories. Telecommunication companies such as Globe Telecom, Islacom, Digitel, and BayanTel set aside business competition to make sure that each partner school, whether in urbanized or remote areas, is connected to the Internet. Ayala Foundation is now part of a consortium of like-minded private corporations and foundations called connectEd.ph.

The project is also beginning to attract generous Filipinos based in the US who are seeking ways to help their kababayans. The San Pablo City National High School in Laguna became the fortunate beneficiary of this generosity when the Seven Lakes Association of Northern California, represented by its Founding President and Adviser Dr. Mario Borja, supported the setting up of the schools Youth Tech laboratory.

With additional support from Filipino individuals and organizations from around the world, Project Youth Tech can bring technology to more public high schools and progress to every barangay and barrio.

Support a Public High School in Your Hometown

US$ 4,000 can set up a Youth Tech laboratory in a school with available computers. The amount will cover Internet peripherals and connection. US$ 16,000 will fund a complete Youth Tech package, including 10 computers, 1 server and 2 printers. To donate, send a check to Ayala Foundation USA at 255 Shoreline Drive, Suite 128, Redwood City, CA 94065, USA. Donations may also be remitted online via www.lingkodpinoy.org.
For more information about noteworthy projects in the Philippines, please call Myrna Araneta at (650) 598-3126 or e-mail us at afusa@ayalafoundation.org or visit our website at www.ayalafdnusa.org.