Four schools in remote areas of Central Luzon have received digital libraries as part of a government program to improve access to educational resources.
The project, called STARBOOKS (Science and Technology Academic and Research-Based Openly Operated Kiosks), is a partnership between the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and BPI Foundation, the charitable arm of the Bank of the Philippine Islands.
What is STARBOOKS?
STARBOOKS is a digital library system that works offline, providing access to thousands of educational materials, including:
- K-12 resources
- Scientific and technological information
- Research papers
The system is designed to work without an internet connection, making it suitable for areas with limited connectivity.
Which schools benefited?
The four schools that received STARBOOKS systems are:
- Lauis National Highschool in Zambales
- Sto. Tomas National High School in Pampanga
- Dueg Resettlement Elementary School in Tarlac
- Pantabangan West Integrated School in Nueva Ecija
These installations took place over three days from 27-29 August 2024.
Who will benefit?
- More than 2,600 students
- 128 teachers
These beneficiaries now have access to a wide range of educational materials that were previously unavailable to them.
Training provided
DOST officers conducted comprehensive training sessions for teachers at each school. This ensures that staff can effectively use the STARBOOKS system and incorporate it into their teaching.
Wider context
This project is part of a larger donation worth P2.1 million pesos from BPI Foundation. The donation will fund STARBOOKS installations in 30 remote schools across the Philippines.
The project will address the educational divide between urban and rural areas in the country, where students in remote locations often have limited access to up-to-date learning resources.
What they say
A spokesperson for DOST-STII said: “Our mission is to disseminate science, technology, and innovation learning resources through STARBOOKS, especially to underserved areas.”
BPI Foundation said that this project supports their “Kasama Lahat sa Pag-unlad” (Everyone Included in Progress) advocacy, which aims to build a more inclusive Philippines.
What’s next?
The success of this project will depend on how effectively schools integrate these digital libraries into their curriculum. Education experts will be watching closely to see if this technology-driven approach can help bridge the educational gap in the Philippines.
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