MANILA, Philippines—For its commitment to educational reform and use of Information Technology to improve student learning, the Muntinlupa Science High School has been named by computer giant Microsoft as among the “most innovative schools” in the world, Education Secretary Jesli Lapus said Tuesday.

Lapus said the Microsoft Partners in Learning Innovative Schools Program named the school—located along Buendia St., Tunasan, Muntinlupa—as one of this year’s “31 Pathfinder schools in the world,” besting 104 nominees from 41 other countries.

Microsoft honored Muntinlupa Science High School at the 2009 Worldwide Innovative Education Forum (IEF) held in Salvador, Brazil, this month.

“Many other schools here and abroad draw inspiration from your achievements and innovative projects,” Lapus said, lauding the school for “maximizing the use of technology and making a contribution in the community.”

21st century learners

According to Microsoft, Muntinlupa Science High demonstrated “strong school leadership” in increasing the use of IT in everyday operations and extending their knowledge to other teachers and students in the larger community.

With the recognition, the school gains access to the latest Microsoft technologies and tool kits that will help its students “become 21st century learners. The school will also receive mentoring from worldwide education stakeholders,” Lapus said.

School principal Madeline Ann Diaz said they will have two mentors—two principals, one from Singapore and another from Australia.

They will also actively participate in a monthly online forum with other Pathfinder schools.

“My principle is to learn, lead and share. My goal is to learn as much as possible from these programs, lead my community and share with others,” Diaz said.

She said she hopes she would be able to mentor other schools and “cascade the innovative programs.”

Integrating technology

Diaz said many teachers in Muntinlupa Science High School have integrated technology in their work and availed of affordable laptops through school cooperatives.

The school has been a Microsoft partner since 2004.

She said her faculty has been exposed to IT integration and “values formation that redound to the benefit of the community.”

She also cited the students’ Adopt-A-Reader program. “Our high school students visit the community and look for elementary school children who have difficulty reading and help them. Using laptops, they teach them how to read, making it interactive and fun,” Diaz said.