March 29, 2024

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – A far-flung school in Kabayan, Benguet received a science digital library and other support from the Department of Science and Technology and Lions International Club-Cavite.
DOST Science and Technology Information Institute Director Richard Burgos, Benguet Provincial S &T Center Director Sheila Marie Singa-Claver, and representatives of the Lions International Club-Cavite Association of Science and Mathematics Educators Philippine Private Schools (ASMEPPS) led the turnover of the DOST-Starbooks and other supplies to the Ballay Integrated School in Kabayan recently.
Starbooks is a computer set containing hundreds of thousands of digitized science and technology resources in various formats such as text, video, and audio.
It is the first science digital library in the Philippines that can be operated without Internet connection.
Claver said the hardware or the computer for the Starbooks was donated by the Lion’s Club while DOST provided the contents of the digital library.
The DOST officials and school officials signed the memorandum of agreement for the use of the Starbooks.
A user’s training was also conducted by technical staff of the DOST for the school personnel.
Burgos encouraged the school to maximize the use of the digital library which is helpful for easy access to learning resources especially that Internet connectivity is one of the limitations in the area.
Aside from Starbooks, the donors also distributed other learning resources and school supplies, hygiene and eyewear kits, health supplements, and agricultural tools to the learners and parents.
School Principal Bhede Martin, in behalf of the beneficiaries, expressed gratitude to the team for providing learning materials and other supplies which benefit about 195 learners in the school to include Alternative Learning School students in the area.
The activity was part of the advocacy of the Lions International-Cavite ASMEPPS, the Baguio City Family and Friends Lions Club, and Saint Francis Assisi College. – Redjie Melvic Cawis