Bohol ties up with Ayala for internet connectivity in local public schools

STILL hammering to fill the gap in its school building program, the Bohol Division of the Department of Education and the Provincial Government is into another ambitious project, zapping the schools with internet connectivity. The move is set to upgrade research capabilities of student graduate and equip them with the right skills to match with the needs of the generation's industries so they get the jobs the need upon graduation.

Still brandishing active civil society participation in governance and provision of services especially in education, Bohol now finalizes a deal with the Ayala Foundation in another ambitious project that is Gearing Towards Internet Literacy and Access (GILAS). This is over and above the ongoing First Consolidated Bank (FCB) corporate responsibility computerization grant to schools and another parallel computer equipment grants from local and international philanthropists.

Presently, only San Roque High School in Alburquerque and solar powered internet café in Cabilao High School in Loon have been officially given internet access. San Roque had it with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's digital connections project while Cabilao had it with German donors and technical assistance from a Cebu training institution and the local government unit of Loon.

“We are very glad about the development,” said Bohol Governor Erico Aumentado, who right away called a coordination meeting with the local education authorities and Ayala Foundation representatives last week. The meeting was set to determine the terms and conditions of the grant which is set to boost local students' capabilities.

The project, said to be costing Ayala Foundation millions of pesos is again another of the countless help that the company is lending Bohol after it has forged partnership with Boholanos in its efforts for spurring local development through cultural empowerment. All of this, to make Boholano students compete globally and be ready for the country's most promising business process outsourcing.

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