iSchools Project Announces Criteria for 2009 Funding Cycle

The iSchools Project has just released the criteria it will be using for selecting public high school recipients for the 2009 funding cycle. The project releases new guidelines at the start of every cycle based on CICT policy. Last year, the project focused on providing ICT access to the most remote public high schools in the country. This upcoming fund however, is directed at enhancing the ICT capability of the ‘next wave’ cities.

While the project is still intent on bridging the digital divide especially in far-flung locations nationwide, iSchools management sees this as the best response to strengthen the economic impact of ICT, in “support of the growing industry and the cyber corridor,” adds iSchools Project Manager Antonette Torres.

To be chosen as one of the 320 recipients of the iSchools Project, public high schools must fulfill the following operational and commitment criteria:

Operational

• Not be a recipient of previous computerization projects
• Have stable & sufficient supply of electricity
• Adhere to technical requirements: space, security, outlets, fixtures, etc
• Have access to internet connection in the area
• Designate an ICT coordinator and alternate/assistant
• Located in BPO centers of excellence, next wave cities and provinces

Commitment

• Integrate ICT in education
• Contribute in the ICT development of the community
• Strong support from school community and development partners
• Ensure optimal laboratory utilization

Fulfilling these criteria assures the iSchools Project that the chosen high school can sustain and benefit from the computer laboratory in the long run.

The iSchools Project is one of the flagship projects of the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT) under the ICT4BE Program. The project aims to integrate Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in education, by providing training modules and increasing ICT access in public high schools. Now on its 3rd year of implementation, the iSchools Project has provided these services to 680 schools nationwide with an additional 320 schools intended for deployment.