Smart, Deutsche Regis increase ICT-enabled schools

MANILA, Philippines - Ten public schools are set to enjoy the benefits of Internet-aided learning with their inclusion in the Smart Schools Program of Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart).

Smart, in partnership with Deutsche Regis Partners, Inc. and the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) recently turned over SSP markers to heads of three schools in Butuan City and three more in Vigan City to formalize their membership in simple ceremonies.

Butuan Central Elementary School, Butuan Science and Technology Education Center and Ampayon Central Elementary School in Butuan City in Mindanao and Vigan Central School, Burgos Memorial School East and Burgos Memorial School West in Vigan City in north Luzon are the first six schools adopted by Deutsche Regis under an agreement signed with Smart and PBSP last year.

Under the agreement, Deutsche Regis funded the provision of hardware, networking and Internet access for 10 public schools under the SSP, Smart’s flagship community service initiative that promotes the use of ICT in basic education through partnerships with public schools officials, its teachers and parents-teachers-community associations (PTCAs).

Part of the funds provided by Deutsche Regis will also go to the inclusion of five public elementary schools in CommuniTeach, another education initiative of Smart that enables concerned groups and individuals within a community to help improve the learning of their academically-challenged, public elementary school students. 

Since last year, Smart has been opening up its SSP and CommuniTeach initiatives to corporate partnerships to expand the benefits of ICT in classroom education as well as help more communities provide a better future for underprivileged school kids by helping them improve their academic performance.

Deutsche Regis, which handles the equities business of the Deutsche Bank Group in the Philippines, is among the first to respond to Smart’s invitation since the education initiatives are aligned with the Deutsche Bank Group’s commitment to promote education for underprivileged children as part of its corporate social responsibility.