Filipino public school students to receive more computers

Through the DepEd's diligent efforts to optimize the budget, more public schools will get computer laboratory packages with high-end specifications but at a low cost-per-unit." The savings will be used to buy computer laboratory packages that will benefit 200 more public schools – 100 elementary and 100 high schools - in sixteen regions.

Recipient public high schools underwent a validation process conducted by DepEd's Technical Service team, the implementing office of the department's computerization program, and the Bureaus of Elementary and Secondary Education.

These 200 recipient schools have stable, continuous supply of electricity, and are assured of support from the local government. All have specialist-teachers who can devote their time to teaching Computer classes, English, Science, and Mathematics.

The DepEd Computerization Program is a component of DepEd's Information Communication Technology for Education or ICT4E.

A computer laboratory package includes one personal computer as server, ten units of personal computer as workstations for students, eleven units of uninterruptible power supply, one wireless broadband router, and one color printer.

A lecture and hands-on training on basic software and hardware installation and troubleshooting will likewise be provided to teachers in every school.

We just hope that the computer specification are the following or higher.

1. At least Pentium 4 or higher
2. Processor speed is 2.8Ghz or higher for faster student performance.
3. Video Card - 512Mb for student multimedia presentation.
4. Hard disk not less than 80Gb.
5. At least 2 DVD writers. You do not need to put DVD's writers since it will be network.
6. One month skills training on office application, repair and (hardware and software) installation with networking training (IP configuration specially).
7. Office application should be Office 2003. With plug in ready.
8. I prepare cloned PC rather than branded HP. Spare parts for cloned PC are easy to find.

DepEd's contractors or suppliers technician do not usually visit schools from towns 3 hours away from the Cities. I understand it is expensive for them to visit one or two schools in one day.

I am doubted with the capability of elementary school to handle ICT programs. I have seen enough wasted computers in public schools. I hope the division have their own ICT team (like the Cebu Province roaming) around the schools periodically.

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