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GMA witnesses signing of M.O.A. on internet-based education program
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2003 | EDUCATION

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo today witnessed the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) between Coca-Cola Co. and the Foundation for Information Technology Education and Development (FIT-ED), a non-governmental organization responsible for implementing the so-called "Coca-Cola ed.venture" program in the Philippines.

Coca-Cola Philippine Division president James Harting and FIT-ED Chairman and Senior Adviser on International Competitiveness Secretary Roberto Romulo led the signing ceremonies, held at the Ceremonial Hall in Malacanang.

Aside from the President, those who witnessed the event were Education Secretary Edilberto de Jesus, Coca-Cola Phils. Foundation president Cecile Alcantara, and hundreds of Coca-Cola employees.

The memorandum of agreement pushes forward the President’s program to bring educational opportunities to more children, prepare them further for a more fruitful life ahead and empower them for the Information Age.

Coca-Cola ed.venture is part of a pan-Asian initiative aimed to contribute to local efforts to bridge the digital divide, bringing a new world of information technology (IT) learning to tens of thousands of young people across Asia through Internet-based educational resources.

Under the MOA, the Coca-Cola Co. is contributing further $650,000 towards the second phase of the ed.venture program, building on its initial $350,000 commitment towards the first phase.

"We are proud to continue supporting this national effort to empower and prepare the young people of the Philippines for the Information Age," Harting said.

He said the new phase of ed.venture is an exciting extension of our commitment to youth development and education in the Philippines."

"We know that ICT education continues to be a national developmental priority and we’re looking forward to building our partnership with the Department of Education and FIT-ED as we bring the promise of e-learning to thousands more students and teachers in the years to come," he added.

According to Harting, the second phase, though it is only an extension of what has been achieved in the first program, includes a significantly deepened training component for public school students, teachers and administrators.

The ed.venture program has already built 15 fully equipped, Internet-connected and fully air-conditioned computer laboratories in public school selected by FIT-ED in coordination with the Department of Education.

These Coca-Cola ed.venture centers are located in the Quirino High School in Quezon City, Rizal School Sagad Annex in Pasig City, Negros Oriental National High School in Dumaguete City, Camanjac National High School in Negros Oriental, Manga National Manga National High School in Tagbilaran City, San Roque High School in Bohol, Bitoon National Vocational School in Cebu, Ipil National High School in Ormoc City, Hilongos National Vocational High School in Leyte, Guimbal National High School in Iloilo, Passi National High School in Iloilo, Bais City High School in Negros Oriental and Parang High School in Marikina City.

Harting added that the ed.venture program also equips teachers with the knowledge and skills that will allow them to leverage ICT in the teaching process.

Over 600 public high school teachers and administrators have already participated in ongoing workshops designed to introduce them to "educational telecollaboration," a learning device that allows people in different locations to use Internet tools and resources to work together.

The centers deliver Information and Communications Technology (ICT) access, connectivity, training and educational resources to more than 15,000 students and public schoolteachers and administrators. The program is rolled out with active participation of local communities and local school boards.

FIT-ED, which aims to elevate IT awareness and capability in the Philippines, provided the technical expertise for the program’s infrastructure requirements and facilitates the program’s training component for schoolteachers.

"Educational quality and relevance in today’s world mean, among other things, ensuring that students know how to use ICT appropriately and responsibly," FIT-ED chairman Secretary Roberto Romulo said.

"With Coca-Cola ed.venture, FIT-ED is doing its part in helping build an effective and sustainable model for ICT-enhanced high schools in the country," Romulo added.

Harting also informed the President that the Philippine division is the sixth largest operation of Coca-Cola in the world. Manila, he added, is also the site of the first bottling operation of Coca-Cola outside of the United States.