Globe utilizes secondhand laptops, sends them to public schools nationwide

To bridge the gap in distance learning, Globe Telecom, Inc., or GLOBE is sending their pre-owned laptops to different public schools.

Photo credit: davaolife.com

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, new learning schemes or distance learning has been implemented. Internet connection, personal computers, laptops and tablets became important tools that are available to use for teaching and studying.

Plenty of schools are not adequately equipped with the information and communications technology (ICT) tools necessary for effective learning according to Globe. Because of this, they were encouraged to find ways to assist educational institutions with the ICT tools they need while at the same time, remain aligned with the company's sustainability programs such as electronic waste management and 21st century education and teacher training.

When an employee separates from Globe's company, they normally return their company provided laptops or after three years of using them. Globe then made use of these laptops to send to different schools.  As yet, Globe has delivered 10 pre-owned laptops to San Vicente National High School in Baguio City, seven units to San Pedro Elementary School in Sasmuan, Pampanga, and 32 units to the DepEd Division in Cagayan de Oro City for use of Cadayonan Elementary School, Donggoan Elementary School, Iba Elementary School and Magayad Elementary School.

“Instead of disposing the pre-owned laptops when many Filipinos have no access to a computer, we decided to refurbish the units and give them a new purpose to schools. This way, we are able to help our teachers and students as well as extend the usable life of the devices,” said Yoly Crisanto, Globe Chief Sustainability Officer and SVP for Corporate Communications.

Relatively, San Pedro ES Principal II Rodolfo Sibug, Jr., said: “This donation is pivotal to the delivery of basic quality education to our clientele as we embrace the challenges of the new normal. This will perfectly aid and assist our teachers in the preparation of teaching materials.”

On the other hand, the laptops sent to Cadayonan ES, Donggoan ES, Iba ES and Magayad ES, shall be used to store and play locally produced video clips for each learning activity sheet included in the self-learning module.

In 2012, Globe has launched its program which helps schools in the Philippines be integrated with ICT capabilities (Information and communications technology). It's been helping boost the country's educational system in public schools nationwide. Its Global Filipino Schools program, part of a long-term partnership between Globe and DepEd, has benefited over 340,000 students and 12,000 teachers in 215 partner schools in 17 regions across the Philippines.

In regard to this, Globe also has a Global Filipino Teacher (GFT) Training Program that focuses on 21st Century skills needed by public school teachers including digital literacy and overall capacity-building to maximize the digital tools available to them. Globe has also introduced eWaste Zero, a recovery and recycling program in 2014. It ensures that electronic waste like old mobile phones, broken chargers, discarded laptops and other gadgets and peripherals do not end up in landfills where they may release toxic chemicals that are harmful to people and the environment.