PLDT and its wireless arm Smart Communications Inc. (Smart), recently turned over #LearnSmart kits to support Mapua Malayan Colleges of Mindanao (MCM) in extending quality education in hard-to-access communities through its Help End Learning Poverty Program (HELP).
HELP is a research-based initiative of Mapua MCM focused on improving literacy and pushing for technology-aided learning in far-flung schools, especially elementary schools, in Mindanao with limited internet access.
The Learn Smart Kits (LSK) developed by PLDT and Smart will help augment existing educational materials and pedagogy for more interactive classroom discussions. Marycon Delos Reyes, Mapua MCM’s Center for Service-Learning and Community Engagement officer, said, “The LSKs will greatly help teachers of Langub and Calinan Elementary Schools in looking for additional learning resources for their classroom activities. The connectivity device will help them search for quality educational materials online that they can adapt to learners’ needs.”
PLDTSmart-Mapua
Each LSK mini-bag contains a Smart Bro LTE Pocket WiFi device and a 32GB USB flash drive preloaded with educational content, such as the pandemic-tested Central Visayan Institute Foundation Dynamic Learning (CVIF DLP) Learning Activity Sheets and Maging Laging Handa videos, among others. These innovative learning tools enable children to learn at their own pace.
PLDT and Smart continue to collaborate with partners in pushing for inclusive quality education that ensures no learner is left behind.
“Collaboration is crucial in the success of projects such as this, and we are grateful for this partnership with PLDT and Smart. Without partners like you, it would be a challenge for us to pursue this project. We look forward to more meaningful collaborations with you,” she added.
The Learn Smart Kit highlights the use of technology to promote inclusive quality education for all. Through digital inclusion, PLDT and Smart develop crisis resilient education programs that help contribute to MATATAG: Bansang Makabata, Batang Makabansa, Vice President and Secretary of Education Sara Z. Duterte’s new direction to resolve basic education challenges. These PLDT initiatives also contribute to the country’s efforts in achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) No. 4: Quality Education.
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