DICT launches 6 Tech4ED centers in San Fabian, Pangasinan

San Fabian, Pangasinan Mayor Constante Agbayani (second from right) and Anonang National High School Principal Dr. Perlita Somine (second from left) signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Department of Information and Communications Technology Luzon Cluster 1 for the establishment of a Tech4ED Center at the school on June 26, 2020. Five other schools in the municipality have also launched their Tech4ED Centers. Photo from DICT

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Information and Communications Technology Luzon Cluster 1 has launched six centers of Technology for Education, Employment, Entrepreneurs, and Economic Development (Tech4ED) in San Fabian, Pangasinan as part of the preparations for the upcoming school year.

In a statement Tuesday, the DICT said the establishment of the centers is also part of the department’s efforts to fast-track the provision of internet connectivity and ICT resources in provinces.

“Amid COVID-19 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,” said DICT Luzon Cluster 1 director Leo Ugto.

“Through this program, we want to do our best to bridge the digital divide to support the opening of classes,” Ugto added.

The six new technology 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 San Fabian Integrated School SPED Center.

According to DICT, students, teachers, and the general public can now use the centers’ computers to connect to the internet for free.

It added that the computers are also incorporated with the “Tech4ED Platform” which houses resource segments such as “eEduSkills” that contains e-learning modules, and “Starbooks” that contain digitized science and technology learning materials in various formats such as text, audio, and video.

The DICT Luzon Cluster 1 said the use of Tech4ED centers should follow health protocols against the spread of the coronavirus disease.

The establishment of the technology centers was collaborated with the local government unit of San Fabian and with the Department of Education Division of Pangasinan.

The DICT likewise donated computers to the municipalities of Balaoan and Naguilian in La Union, where Tech4ED centers will also be established soon.

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

According to DICT, Tech4ED is a vital component of its Digital Philippines Vision. The program provides a venue for studying, work, and availing of online government services in digitally underserved and unserved areas of the country.

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