Samsung Electronics Philippines Corporation (SEPCO), in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd), opened its Smart Classroom at the Guadalupe Elementary School in Carmen, Davao del Norte. It is the 14th Smart Classroom in the Philippines and is the very first classroom under DepEd’s Adopt-a-School program. Held in Carmen, the program prioritizes schools that serve indigenous communities and promotes interschool partnerships.
Smart Classroom is a program aimed at enhancing the quality of education in the Philippines with the help of technology. Using Samsung devices like Galaxy tablets and LED screens, the program intends to create a more interactive learning environment to improve student engagement and academic performance. It also aims to boost the proficiency of public school teachers in the country.
“This project not only promises to modernize classrooms aesthetically, but also—more importantly—technologically. We are very excited about all the opportunities it will open up, and are looking forward to expanding it to other communities in Mindanao,” SEPCO’s head for Corporate Citizenship Twyla David shared. “Besides immersing students in a digital environment, it will also be a venue for community-based activities such as school administration meetings and Alternative Learning System (ALS) and Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) training workshops for teachers.”
The Smart Classroom at the Guadalupe Elementary School can accommodate up to 30 students at a time, each of whom will have access to a wealth of e-learning tools and materials through the Samsung tablet. The teachers will also have their own Samsung device, which is wirelessly connected to all 30 tablets so they can keep a close eye on each student’s performance. At the front of the room, there is an LED screen, which teachers can use to flash lessons, reports, and other educational content.
The project is likewise supported by local government leaders, Carmen municipal mayor Virginia J. Perandos and Davao del Norte governor Anthony G. Del Rosario, both of whom are heavily invested in education.
Mayor Perandos, who graced the Smart Classroom launch, said: “We at the Municipality of Carmen are very much blessed to have this type of project—a world-class IT classroom—which was more enhanced by Samsung. Thank you for this opportunity for the community of Guadalupe, our Muslim and Christian brothers and sisters, and students who will get to utilize higher learning technology. Hand in hand with the local government units, we hope to replicate this project in other areas in the region.”
Dr. Josephine Fadul, DepEd’s Division Superintendent for Davao del Norte Schools, added: “We commit to the project and, through it, aim to improve the performance rating of our students. We believe that we have the capacity to become better than how we are now.”
