Smart Communications and its partners recently turned over School-in-a-Bag units to public schools and local government units (LGUs) in Mindanao to equip students with digital tools that could enhance their learning.
The recipients are Bayabao Central Elementary School, Ragayan Elementary School, and Sultan Langco National High School in Butig, Lanao del Sur; Datu Paglas Central School and Kalumenga Elementary School in Datu Paglas, Maguindanao; Nuro Central Elementary School and Upi North District in Upi, Maguindanao; Masibay Integrated School in Nunungan, Lanao del Norte; Department of Education in Simunul, Tawi-Tawi and in Manuk-Mangkaw, Tawi-Tawi; and Bongao, Tawi-Tawi.
Five of the schools do not have electricity, and will thus have a solar panel with battery in their Smart School-in-a-Bag. The big backpack contains a laptop, tablets, TV, pocket Wi-Fi, and digital and printed educational content aligned with the official curriculum. Each donation package worth P100,000 includes teacher training and yearlong monitoring.
Three of the School-in-a-Bag units were sponsored by Smart, with the Philippine Business for Social Progress identifying the recipients, while one package was sponsored by Smart employees. The four remaining School-in-a-Bag kits were given by Smart as part of the incentive package for LGU recipients of the Synergeia Seal of Good Education Governance.