Franchise Manual - 062508
Franchise Manual - 062508
Franchise Manual - 062508
) Manual
1
Foreword
This eSkwela Franchise Manual is only one part of the assistance that CICT extends to its
partners. This was created with the main purpose to help your organization establish,
manage and sustain the operations of your own eSkwela Center. The content of this
franchise manual are based on the experiences, best practices and learnings of CICT staff
and eSkwela Implementers during its Pilot Implementation of the eSkwela Project in 4 areas –
mainly, Quezon City in NCR, San Jose Del Monte in Luzon, Cebu City in the Visayas and
Cagayan De Oro City in Mindanao. It is meant to be used as a guide and not to be followed
point-for-point for the operations of your own eSkwela Center. This is so because CICT
understands each community is unique and will be different from the 4 pilot sites. It is in
this light, that CICT gives the freedom to its partner organization to manage and implement
policies in their respective centers as they deem necessary, so long as the general objectives
and essence of the eSkwela Project will be kept intact.
Again, thank you for being a partner. We do hope that your experience in operating an
eSkwela Center will not only be enjoyable but fulfilling at the same time.
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The eSkwela Concept
The eSkwela Project had its early beginnings in 2006, when it was granted seed money by
the APEC Education Foundation. The eSkwela Project was 1 of only 6 awardees out of 49
proposals. With the seed money, CICT, in partnership with the DepEd-BALS, different local
government units and civic organizations, was able to do the following: establish 4 eSkwela
Centers in 4 major urban areas, convert 35 DepEd-BALS 1 print modules into eLearning
modules, and provide various trainings to eSkwela Implementers necessary for the smooth
operations of the eSkwela Centers.
However, almost a year passed, each eSkwela Center operated in isolation from the other
centers. CICT was constantly doing monitoring activities among the 4 sites, gathering
success stories, best practices, and of course as with other pilot implementations, birth pains.
But this was not how CICT imagined how the eSkwela centers to operate. When the
eSkwela project was conceptualized, CICT imagined it to be a community of eLearning
Centers catering to the needs of out-of-school youth and adults. So in September 2007, CICT
decided to hold the first-ever eSkwela Conference, bringing together not only the people
behind each pilot site, but including individuals who played vital roles in the start of the
eSkwela Project.
The eSkwela Conference became not only a venue for all participants to share their
experiences at their respective sites, but also a venue for the whole group to formulate
together, the new vision and mission statements for eSkwela which would guide all future
activities of eSkwela.
Vision
The eSkwela Program will be widely available across the Philippines to empower
out-of-school youth and adults to be globally competitive through the effective
use of ICTs in alternative learning.
Mission Statement
In partnership with various groups, eSkwela provides out-of-school youth and
adults with opportunities towards attaining basic education competence and life
skills through the use of an ICT-enabled environment.
1
Department of Education – Bureau of Alternative Learning Systems
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COMPONENTS
What makes eSkwela different from most ICT projects that it is being implemented here in
the Philippines is not only that it serves a different clientele, but also lies in the different
components that makes up eSkwela.
Infrastructure
Each eSkwela center should have computer access (at least 5 computer units for learners and
1 unit for the instructor per center), relevant peripherals, and broadband Internet
connectivity.
The BALS curriculum, improved under the BEC 2002, has at its core, the enhancement of life
skills and lifelong learning skills among its learners, with particular emphasis on the
following key areas: communication skills, critical thinking and problem solving, sustainable
use of resources/productivity, development of self and a sense of community, and
expanding one’s world vision.
Since 22% of the 2003 FLEMMS respondents cited lack of interest in going to school, the
eSkwela Project will make an effort in developing curriculum and materials that are
meaningful, relevant, and interesting. As such, the instructors under the alternative learning
system will be trained to use a pedagogical paradigm that encourages an inquiry-based,
interdisciplinary, and thematic approach to teaching and learning. Lessons and strategies
will be based on real life contexts and will focus on authentic learning to heighten interest
and relevance. For example, the theme for September is livelihood – thus, the topics will be
Business Math (using operations to computer for taxes, profits, interest rates), Business
English (writing official correspondences, enhancing conversational skills, telephone
etiquette), Production (craft making, food production), and Marketing. Students will have to
simulate setting up and running a small-scale business with the help of the community as
their culminating activity.
The eSkwela Project will continue to uphold this approach by integrating the use of ICT in
the classroom setting. Within a three-hour session, a blended type of learner-centered
instruction will be exercised where students will have one hour of computer-aided learning
via interactive elearning modules, one hour of teacher-led instruction (based on the current
needs of the learners), and one hour of collaborative group activities and projects.
Instructors, called mobile teachers, will be mainly facilitative in a student-paced learning
environment. They shall use performance-based assessment, in coordination with the
community, to monitor the progress of students.
The Department of Education currently has more than 500 print-based materials that are
undergoing enhancements via conversion to interactive eLearning modules. The Sandiwaan
Center for Learning (SCL) – an NGO devoted to promoting eLearning, as partner of the
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CICT HCDG in this project, has converted 35 BALS print-based modules into interactive
eLearning modules that were reviewed and certified by the BALS.
Training
A program will not succeed unless the people who will implement it understand what they
are doing and are confident to proceed as planned. Skills-training seminars take care of this
aspect of the program.
Outcomes will be measured in close coordination with the CICT, BALS, and the recipient
communities. Regular site visits and Program assessment sessions (i.e. from roll-out: 1st
quarter, 6th month, end of 1 st year) will be held to ensure smooth implementation and
review of processes. A digital documentation mechanism will be imposed to ensure optimal
use of the laboratories. Class records and student portfolios will be maintained to serve as
documentation of the pilot run. Year-end interviews, written surveys, and focus group
discussions will be conducted to assess the program’s pilot implementation and to check if
the program’s terminal objectives are being met. Results will serve as inputs for planning the
next phase of implementation.
Community Support
The success of the eSkwela Project is dependent on strong support from the local
community. This project will look to local communities to:
a. provide assistance in social mobilization to get OSYs into the eSkwela centers
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b. support and encourage community-based real-life assessment projects to make
learning for these students more relevant
c. sustainable and more responsive community based-development programs to
encourage these students to work towards their potential (e.g. awards, scholarship
d. programs for college/vocational schools, involvement and accountability in a
community project)
e. provide assistance in maintaining the center’s day-to-day operations
In return, during weekends, the centers can used to accommodate other stakeholders in the
recipient communities through customized ICT training modules for women and other
disadvantaged/marginalized groups. Special ICT-related projects can also be designed to
cater to community cooperatives with regards to production, marketing, and other business
applications.
The effort to involve the community in the eSkwela Project is consistent with Department of
Education’s Schools First Initiative (SFI). The SFI encourages strong community
involvement in providing educational opportunities within the locality. Furthermore, in
February 2005 the Department of Education “signed a Memorandum of Understanding with
the heads of the leagues of provinces, cities, municipalities, barangays, and the
Sangguniang Kabataan National Federation to promote more literacy programs outside of
schools.”
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PRE-IMPLEMENTATION
The pre-implementation stage covers the community mobilization in setting up the eSkwela
center, including its requirements.
Before communities begin to do any efforts related to eSkwela, it is important that they have
already established contact with the DepED Bureau of Alternative Learning System (ALS)
and/or CICT, to ensure that all eSkwela efforts are coordinated with the proper channels.
Here are some suggestions on what to look out for when doing a community scan:
i. Gather data on the out-of-school youth and adults in the community. It may be
good to determine the number of out of school youth and adults, the last
year/grade level completed at school, and the reasons for dropping out of
school.
ii. Find out what programs for out-of-school youth and adults (OSYA) are already
in place. Programs may not only be limited to the provision of basic
literacy. There might be other programs that help them gain livelihood
skills or engage them in activities related to the arts and sports. Find out
also if there are information and communications technology (ICT)
related programs for OSYA such as basic computer literacy.You can learn
a lot from people, groups and organizations who are already
implementing programs for OSYA.
iii. Determine the available ICT facilities within the community. The available ICT
facilities in the community may be tapped to be an eSkwela center that
will offer a non-formal, community based e-Learning program. (explore
possible eSkwela models)
iv. Linkages - Identify potential stakeholders of the project and build relationships
with them. In this way it would be easy to identify areas where eSkwela
can support the community and vice versa.
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Literacy Mapping
Before conducting the literacy mapping activity, please check with the DepED division
in your community of their latest literacy mapping data. If data is fairly recent, you
may just get this data from the DepED division. Otherwise, please coordinate with
DepED on how this data will be gathered. The DepED has trained personnel (e.g.
mobile teachers) that conduct literacy mapping.
Involving the community from the very beginning of an ICT initiative ensures the
likelihood of its sustainability. Identify and convene the key stakeholders of the
eSkwela project. Discuss with them the problems and issues that the out-of-school
youth and adults face and identify possible solutions, especially on how ICT can be
able to facilitate in addressing these problems. Engage them in the planning process,
allow them to take on roles and responsibilities, and involve them in the
implementation of the project.
• Steering Committee
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Steering Committee
(eSkwela stakeholders)
Center Manager
Linkages
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Advocacy and Social Mobilization
The community lead / champion for eSkwela should be one of the members
of the local eSkwela steering committee. The committee members will select
their community lead / champion through an election.
• Assignments – Components
Here is the list of eSkwela components and determine who will provide each
of these components from your steering committee.
Infrastructure
2
The Strategic Roadmap of the Philippine Community eCenter Program 2008-2010, p. 2.
3
-ditto-, p. 9.
10
Internet Cafés – urbanized communities would have several of
these, and may be utilized as eSkwela centers during off-peak
hours (from morning until mid-afternoon).
University/College computer laboratories (labs) – some universities
and colleges are willing to open up their facilities for endeavors
like eSkwela as part of their community extension programs.
Public High Schools’ computer labs – around 70% of public high
schools already have computer labs that may be tapped by
eSkwela for use during after school hours or on weekends.
Mobile computer labs – there are LGUs and some private sector
groups that have mobile computer labs going around a
community or in several communities.
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Curriculum Materials
The eSkwela project makes use of e-learning modules that are problem-
solving/inquiry based, and encourages the practice of experiential approach
to teaching and learning.
4
From Wikipedia, Available at http://en.wikipedia.org/, Accessed on 13 May 2008.
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The ATutor LMS
Staffing
1. Center Manager
ensure that the Center Policies and Procedures are enforced at all
times;
ensure that the facilities of the center are maintained in good working
order;
take responsibility for the administration of any money collected by
the center on a daily basis, if any;
maintain relevant up-to-date records for the center;
Together with the eSkwela PMO and the local eSkwela Steering Committee:
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Attend eSkwela-related meetings, conferences, and training
workshops, as necessary;
Submit the following reports to the eSkwela PMO at the end of every
quarter or as needed: Progress/Operations Report, Monitoring and
Evaluation Report, Financial Report, and Incident Report/s; and
Undertake additional tasks to benefit the Center as directed by the
local eSkwela Steering Committee and/or the eSkwela PMO.
3. Network Administrator
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Ensure that the hardware, software, and systems of the center are
maintained in good working order and updated, as necessary;
Maintain and update the eSkwela Learning Management System;
Recommend strategies to ensure technical sustainability of the Center;
Attend eSkwela-related meetings, conferences, and training
workshops, as necessary;
Submit the following reports to the eSkwela Center Manager at the
end of every month or as needed: System Monitoring Report, Incident
Report/s, and other relevant reports; and
Undertake additional tasks to benefit the Center as directed by the
eSkwela Center Manager.
Trainings
The eSkwela site should approach the DepED regional trainers for the needed
trainings. The cost of the training should be shouldered by the “franchisee”.
Here are the basic qualifications of the staff/trainees for the eSkwela centers:
• College graduate (any course)
• 20-35 years old
• Computer literate
• Commits to serve at least 1 year in eSkwela / ALS
The basic course on ALS and eSkwela is suited particularly for those who are
implementing the eSkwela project but are not from the DepED BALS. The
content of the training are the following:
For those who would like to avail of this training, you may send a letter of
request to DepED BALS. DepED BALS will send the trainers so the schedule
of this training has to be coordinated with them. You would also have to
shoulder the transportation, meals and accommodations of the trainers.
The educators’ training looks into reviewing the eSkwela instructional model
and the appropriate strategies to be used for teaching. Its main objective is to
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orient and train its participants on the effective use of ICT to improve the
learning process in the context of alternative education. It is hoped that the
participants will be equipped to enable their teaching to be more:
• Learner-centered
• Thematic
• Blended
• Experiential
In addition, they will also learn how to apply relevant monitoring procedures
and alternative assessment strategies (e.g. performance-based, online,
contextualized activities).
The Center Management training covers the eSkwela set-up, operations and
sustainability. Its main objective is to train the participants in setting up,
operating and sustaining an eSkwela center.
The participants of this training are the Center Managers and a representative
from the local eSkwela steering committee.
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2. Infrastructure Set-up
The following are the specifications of the infrastructure that we recommend for the eSkwela
center, regardless of the model applied by the community. However, we woul’d require the
eSkwela centers to have all equipment to be should be at the eSkwela center at all times, unless
used during eSkwela-related activities.
• Center Site/Room
For those communities that plan to invest in putting up their own eSkwela
center, we recommend the following specifications for the site/room:
Recommended Minimum
Motherboard Any Any
Processor 900 megahertz 500 megahertz
equivalent processor equivalent processor
Memory 512 MB 256 MB
Video Card Any Any
Sound Card Any Any
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Optical Drive Minimum of CD-ROM None
Floppy Drive Any None
Hard Disk 80 Gigabytes 10 Gigabytes available
space
Ethernet Adapter 10/100 Mbps 10/100 Mbps
Monitor LCD monitor Any VGA monitor
(preferred; energy
saver)
Keyboard Any Any
Mouse Any Any
Headset Any Any
Operating System Any licensed operating Any licensed operating
system / open source system / open source
Applications Any licensed office Any licensed office
application / open application / open
source source
UPS (with built in Any AVR
AVR function)
Recommended Minimum
Motherboard Any Any
Processor 2.6 GHz 900 mHz processor
Memory 2 Gigabytes 1 Gigabyte
Video Card Any Any
Sound Card Any Any
Optical Drive DVD writer DVD writer
Floppy Drive Any Any
Hard Disk 160 Gigabytes 80 Gigabytes available
space
Ethernet Adapter 10/100 Mbps 10/100 Mbps
Monitor LCD monitor Any VGA monitor
Keyboard Any Any
Mouse Any Any
Speakers Any Any
Operating System Any licensed operating Any licensed operating
system / open source system / open source
Applications Any licensed office Any licensed office
application / open application / open
source source
UPS (with built in Any Any
AVR function)
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Server is necessary for eSkwela Classic
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b. Network
All computers (including the server) will be networked, either wired or wireless.
Here are the requirements for each of the network set-ups:
Here are other electronic items that the eSkwela center may need:
Recommended Minimum
Printer Colored printer Dot matrix
Digital camera 5 MP camera or higher Web camera
uses AA rechargeable
batteries
Laptop Any
Scanner Any
LCD/DLP projector 2000 lumens or higher Any
LCD screen Any
Karaoke system Any
Phone and Fax Any
Here are other fixtures that are needed in the eSkwela center:
Whiteboard
Cabinet/Locker
Bulletin board
eSkwela signage
c. Internet connection
The desired bandwidth for the eSkwela center should at least measure 1 Mbps
burstible with a committed information rate (CIR) of 1:4, a specified amount of
bandwidth on frame relay service, or whatever is applicable to the area.
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IMPLEMENTATION
When the necessary resources for the eSkwela center are in place, the community is now
ready to open up its eSkwela center for OSYA learners.
3. Program Implementation
a. Site Inauguration
The purpose of the site inauguration is to let the public know about the eSkwela site
and ALS in the community. Basically what is required of a site inauguration is a
short program that will highlight certain events and activities related to the
inauguration. It could be the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) of
the local steering committee or a blessing and soft/grand opening of the eSkwela site.
The program for the site inauguration should approximately last about 2 hours.
Invitees to a site inauguration may include representatives from CICT, LGU officials,
DepED division representatives, mobile teachers and IMLFs, learners, and various
other stakeholders of the site. With regards to the actual event, tThe site
implementers should havecan prepared a banner for the event, decorate the site and
provide some refreshments for the guests.
A&E Elementary
• Submit any of the ff.:
Birth certificate (bring original but submit photocopy)
Any valid ID
Marriage contract (for married individuals)
A&E Secondary
• Submit any of the ff.:
Birth certificate (bring original but submit photocopy)
Any valid ID
Marriage contract (for married individuals)
• Certification from last school attended for learners 15-17 years old
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Learners are assessed through theupon completion of the Functional Literacy Test
(FLT), Personal Information Sheet (PIS) and interview. This is the basic procedure for
the pre-assessment being implemented by DepED BALS.
Learners are are not required to be computer literate to be part of the eSkwela
learners. However, they should have the willingness to learn and use ICT for his/her
education. Learners will have several opportunities to learn at least some basic
computer literacy so they can use the digitized modules and the LMS.
d. Enrollment Procedure
To know more details about the eSkwela program, learners are required to attend the
eSkwela orientation. Parents / guardians of the learners are highly encouraged to
attend the orientation.
Project Orientation – to tell what the project is all about and how learners can
benefit from it.
Learner Commitment – by signing up in the program, the learner commits to
accomplish his/her ILA and go through the modules of their choice.
Requirements – the learner is required to attend to learning sessions with
his/her IMLFs and complete various assessment tests and projects.
Schedule – the learner and IMLF agrees on the schedule of attending learning
sessions.
House rules – certain rules that pertain to proper use and handling of
computers and other materials in the eSkwela center are to be implemented.
After the pre-assessment stage, the learner and the instructional manager negotiates
on an ILA. The ILAThis contains the learning goals that will determine the learning
modules, activities and timeframe of the learner’s learning program.
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ALS applies a very flexible approach to learning. Learners are given as much control
as possible over what, when, where and how they learn. With the support of the
IMLF, the learner defines his/her own learning needs as well as, identify the most
appropriate pathway for tackling these needs. All of which paves the way in, and
achieving their learning goals through the use of learning modules, other learning
materials and instructional support.
As mentioned, tThe ILA will be used to plan the learning sessions and/or choose the
learning modules. The IM LF will regularly review the learner’s progress and
provide assistance whenever needed.
The duration of the participation of the learner in the program will depend on
whether the learner will seek certification under the BALS A&E Assessment and
Certification or not. It will also depend on the learner’s pace of learning, the range of
their prior learning, and their learning style.
g. Learning Sessions
Learners are required to attend the learning sessions for at least 6 hours a week.
Depending on the schedule, a learner will have his/her sessions twice a week (3
hours per session) or thrice a week (2 hours per session).
eSkwela practices the blended learning approach. Part of the weekly sessions goes to
discussion and interaction with the IMlearning facilitator or mobile teacher, and part
of it goes to working on the modules and the LMS.
Getting Started
Available at http://eprints.rclis.org/archive/00009634/01/atutor-getting-
started-final-3-1.pdf
Available at http://www.atutor.ca/atutor/docs/atutor_quickstart.pdf
6
-ditto-
23
ATutor Handbook
Available at http://ilit.cib.unibo.it/ATutor/documentation/index/index.php
The details on what goes on during the learning sessions will be discussed during
the training.
h. Lab Policies
Here are some suggested laboratory policies for your eSkwela center. You may wish
to modify these policies.
• Come on your scheduled time & day for the hands-on learning
activities.
• Upon arrival, put your bag into the baggage counter and register your
name in the logbook.
• Go directly to the PC assigned to you based on your code number.
Organized your designated station before and after used.
• Check the equipment if all parts and accessories are available. If any of
the parts is missing call the attention of the Network Administrator
and/or the attending Instructional ManagerLearning Facilitator of the
day.
• Make sure that any flash disk or portable device that you connect to the
computer does not have any virus by scanning it with an anti-viru
software upon insertion of the said device.
• Wait for preliminary instruction from the Instructional
ManagerLearning Facilitator before you start the hands-on activity.
• If there are problems in the operation, ask assistance from the Network
Administrator and/or the attending instructional ManagerLearning
Facilitator.
• Do only the activities related to eSkwela learning modules during the
scheduled training.
• Dispose your garbage properly.
• No sleeveless attire and shorts are allowed inside the room.
• No loitering in front of the laboratory room or lobby.
• Eating is strictly prohibited inside the laboratory room. Food and snacks
are allowed outside the room during break time.
• Nobody is allowed to leave the laboratory unless there is clearance or
permission from the Center Manager.
• Any violation of the rules has the corresponding disciplinary action.
1st Offense : Verbal warning
2nd Offense : Written warning
3rd Offense : Eviction and to be replaced by new interested learners.
• Damage of the computer or any property inside the laboratory due to
carelessness will be charged to the user.
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i. Media Campaign
Media campaigns are needed in order to let the public know not only about the
eSkwela project, but also in promoting its advocacies. The media is also a way to
gather initial and on-going support for the project.
j. Identification
It is recommended that eSkwela learners have his/her own identification card for
easy recognition. They could even have a form of identification in order for the staff
to be able to identify the learners easily. Each learner should have an ID card and
atheir own uniform. Some of the current eSkwela sites have uniform t-shirts, while
other sites ask their learners to wear shirts of the same color.
k. Add-ons
While the eSkwela project was designed to enable learners to be eligible to take the
Accreditation and Equivalency (A&E) exam, there is an increasing demand from
learners to be trained on livelihood skills. The eSkwela project management office
has partnered with TESDA and the eSkills network for the livelihood skills modules
which will be made available for eSkwela learners. Furthermore, on the process of
being developed are modules for computer and internet literacy courses which are
deemed to benefit the learners greatly.
4. Financial Costs
a. Operations Cost
7
From PLDT Website http://www.pldt.com.ph/prod-serv/business/bizdsl.htm. Accessed on 19 May
2008. Package includes phone line.
8
From Smart Bro Website http://smart.com.ph/SmartBro/. Accessed on 19 May 2008. This is a wireless
broadband Internet package.
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Digitel10 Up to 512 kbps 64 kbps / 80 kbps Php 2,200.00
Globe11 Up to 2 Mbps Php 1,995.00
• Electricity
Assuming that the center has 11 computers, 1 aircon, 3 fluorescent bulbs and
1 printer, the cost of electricity will be:
If it takes 5.37kw per hour to power these equipment, then the cost of
electricity is P30.88 per hour.
9
From Bayan Website http://www.bayandsl.com/resi/bundle.html. Accessed on 19 May 2008. Package
includes phone line.
10
From Digitel Website http://home.digitelone.com/products/netvantage.htm. Accessed on 19 May
2008. Package includes phone line.
11
From Globe Broadband Website http://www.globelines.com.ph/NewsArticle.php?id=37. Accessed
on 19 May 2008. Package is for wired broadband connection and includes a phone line. For a data
only package (no phone line), one can get up to 3 Mbps for the same price.
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Theody B. Sayco, Cost of Maintaining a Computer Lab, a presentation for the iSchools project
26
If the eSkwela center is open 10 hours a day for 5 days a week, then
Costs will vary depending on the number of equipment and the wattage of
each equipment that the center has.
• Repairs/Maintenance
Rule of Thumb: If Cost of Repair is more than 33 % of the Original Cost then
better to replace the part than have it repaired.
• Supplies/Materials
Equipment/Materials Cost
LAN cable replacement P130
Keyboard P150 – P350
Mouse P50 – P150
Sound Card P250 and above
Network Card P175 to P2,000 (wireless)
Power Supply P900 – P1,200
Power Cable P100 – P150
Toner P4,000 – P6,000
Ink Cartridge P600 – P2,000 per
cartridge
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Ribbon Cartridge P150 - P1,500
Fulltime Part-time
Center Manager P10,000 - 12,000 n/a
Instructional P8,000 - 10,000 P1,600 - 2,500; 8
ManagerLearning hours/week
Facilitator
Network Administrator P8,000 - 10,000 P1,000/month
• Others
5. Sustainability
The report of the Brundtland Commission of 1987 defines sustainability as being able to
meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to
meet their own needs. Trentin (2007), on the other hand, states that sustainability is
related to the concepts of stability or permanence, and is also characterized to have the
ability to be self-supporting or self-sufficient13.
13
Guglielmo Trentin, A Multidimensional Approach to E-Learning Sustainability. Educational
Technology Volume XLVII Number 5: 36-40, 2007.
28
The concept of sustainability is closely related to fundraising and resource mobilization.
Being able to raise funds and resources is necessary in sustaining your eSkwela center. It
is important for the eSkwela implementers to have a plan for mobilizing funds and
resources. Here are some strategies that you could use in mobilizing funds and
resources:
This perhaps is the most used technique of fund raising. This means sending a
letter to an individual or a group/ business asking for a contribution to your
project. Potential donors, especially formal organizations, prefer to have a
specific menu of amounts they can choose from.
b. Write Proposals
c. Public Donations
Here, the organization asks members of the public for donations. The objective is
to collect small amounts from many individuals. Collections can be in the form of
collection boxes, or envelopes left to be collected later, of static collection boxes or
coin banks left in shops or other public places. It is very important to have honest
people collecting for your organization.
Concerts, plays, movie premieres, bingo socials, pageants are examples of events
that your organization can get funds from. The organization will sell tickets for
these events and proceeds of which will go to the project. Again, for these kinds
of events to work, it is essential that the purpose and target of this fund raising
activity is clear.
Tapping US-based Filipinos is another way to raise funds for the project. Here are
some of the things that the organization needs to do:
14
-ditto-
29
i. List the names and contact information of your friends or
“kababayans” who are already in the US.
ii. Establish contacts by sending e-mails.
iii. Be sure to say clearly what you are asking for. Will you be asking
donations for additional hardware, or will it be for recurring
operating expenses? It will help if you can also tell your donors the
reasons for asking for their donations.
iv. It will help if you tie-up with Ayala Foundation USA (AFUSA). As a
recognized nonprofit organization in the US, donors may have the
amount of their donation deducted from their taxable income when
channeled through AFUSA. AFUSA also ensures that the Philippine
organizations receiving donations from the US are legitimate
organizations that will make use of the funds responsibly and will
submit the needed reports to account for the donations. To know
more about how to partner with AFUSA, you may write a letter to me
or you may call or e-mail Chiara Cruza at (02)7521064 and
[email protected].
Another way to raise funds for the eSkwela facility is to open the facility to the
community for other uses (Internet access, encoding, printing, scanning, fax
services, telephone calling station, desktop publishing, training, etc.). This also
implies that the facility should be managed like a business. The organization
needs to make a business plan for this undertaking.
15
-ditto-
16
David N. Townsend, and others, Telecenters and Telecommunications Development: Options and
Strategies, Available at http://wsispapers.choike.org/options_strategies.pdf, Accessed on 19 February
2008.
30
xii. Networking Strategy
xiii. Evaluation and Monitoring Plan
31
Appendices:
1. eSkwela Information
2. Sample Ordinance
3. Sample eSkwela Center Budget
4. Sample Demographic Information Sheet and Functional Literacy Test
5. Sample eSkwela Enrollment Form
6. The Internet Café Model (article by Gener Luis Morada, President of the Internet Café
Association of Imus)
32
eSkwela Information
Studies show that an increasing number of school- age Filipinos that are out of school. In
2003, the Department of Education estimated that there were a total of 5.18 million out-of-
school youth (OSY) in the country. Of these, 1.84 million out-of-school children are ages 6 to
11 years old and 3.94 million young people are ages 12 to 15. Some even claim that today
there are as many school age youth out of schoolOSYs as there are school- age youth in
schools today. (add # of OSAs).
This unfortunate condition is made even worse by the fact that the government agency that
can help these out of school youth get an education – the Department of Education - Bureau
of Alternative Learning Systems (DepEd-BALS) of the Department of Education , the
government agency that can help these out of school youth get an education,– receives only
less than 1% of the total education budget.
To respond to the needs of this underserved sector of society, the Human Capital
Development Group of the Commission on Information and Communications Technology
(CICT HCDG) has partnered with the Bureau of Alternative Learning Systems of the
Department of EducationDepEd-BALS in establishing Community e-learning Centers that
would be dedicated to serve the learning needs of the out-of-school youth. These e-Learning
centers would be called eSkwela – a play on the vernacular equivalent to “school”.
Vision
The eSkwela program will be widely available across the Philippines to empower out-of-
school youth and adults to be globally competitive through the effective use of ICTs in
alternative learning.
Mission Statement
In partnership with various groups, eSkwela provides out-of-school youth and adults with
opportunities towards attaining basic education competence and life skills through the use
of an ICT-enabled environment.
Objectives
To support the efforts of DepEd to integrate ICT in the teaching and learning process
To help BALS broaden access to basic education
To help BALS produce and use interactive multimedia learning materials for out-of-
school youth and adults
To reduce the digital divide by providing disadvantaged youth and adults with
access to ICT
33
on the current needs of the learners), and one hour of collaborative group activities and
projects. Instructors, called mobile teacherslearning facilitators, will be mainly facilitative in
a student-paced learning environment. They are using performance-based assessment, in
coordination with the community, to monitor the progress of students.
Project Components
Infrastructure
The center should have at least 6 four units of computers computer units that are networked
and have Internet connection. This infrastructure will be provided by the host community.
Stakeholders’ Training
The following trainings will be provided to the staff and the local steering committee of the
eSkwela center:
a. Teachers’ Learning Facilitators’ Training
b. Network Administration Training
c. Center Management Training
d. M&E training (?)
Community Support
The success of the eSkwela Project is dependent on strong support from the local
community. This project will look to local communities to:
a. provide assistance in social mobilization to get OSYs into the eSkwela centers
b. support and encourage community-based real-life assessment projects to make
learning for these students more relevant
c. sustainable and more responsive community based-development programs to
encourage these students to work towards their potential (e.g. awards,
scholarship programs for college/vocational schools, involvement and
accountability in a community project)
d. provide assistance in maintaining the center’s day-to-day operations
34
Learning Systems, DepEd Region _____, the DepEd Division of __________, and
______________________ (list all other sponsors and stakeholders. You may even include
short write-ups about the organizations and their logos.). (???)
eSkwela FAQs
For Learners
You should be able to meet the same set requirements required in the
print module version of ALS:
35
5. Am I automatically accepted as an eSkwela learner if I already
completed my elementary education?
Yes, you can still apply even if you are not an elementary graduate.
You just have to take the Functional Literacy Test (FLT) and qualify for
secondary A&E.
The best time to apply is the period after learners have taken their A&E
exam, which is being administered every October. For most eSkwela
Centers, the learning period starts in January; thus, learner selection is
usually done from November to December of the previous year.
However, you can still inquire at an eSkwela Center anytime for
inquiries.
36
4) Marikina City
5) Ormoc City
6) Quezon City (A. Roces Avenue)
7) Quezon City (Loyola Heights)
8) San Fernando, Camarines Sur
9) San Fernando City, La Union (operational by August 1; learner
selection is ongoing)
10) San Jose del Monte, Bulacan
11) Tanauan, Leyte
12) Zamboanga City (NCC-FOO)
13) Zamboanga Sibugay
If there is no eSkwela Center yet at your area, you also have the option to go to
the nearest DepED Division to inquire about ALS and its program. Better yet,
you can ask the groups in your community (the local government unit, local
DepED office, civic groups, NGOs, Internet cafés, and business establishments)
to partner with CICT and DepED-BALS and support the setting up of an eSkwela
Center in your community.
For inquiries on ALS and A&E (exam results), please send an e-mail to
[email protected]
1. What is eSkwela?
eSkwela is a community-based e-learning center that conducts ICT-enhanced alternative
education programs for out-of-school youth and adults. These centers will serve as venues
where out-of-school learners and other community members can learn new skills and
competencies, review for the Accreditation and Equivalency (A&E) Exam of the DepEd-
Bureau of Alternative Learning System (BALS), and/or help prepare OSYs to rejoin the
formal school system.
37
eSkwela is one of ALS programs geared towards the delivery of basic education and
preparation of learners for the A&E exam.
14. Will I be able to pass the A&E test by participating in the program?
There is a greater chance of passing the A&E test.
15. Are all topics taught in eSkwela be included in the A&E test?
The test is an application of what has been learned from the modules.
38
1. How can we set up an eSkwela in our community?
Interested parties need to fill up and submit the eSkwela Readiness Assessment form which
is downloadable from the eSkwela website http://eskwela.wikispaces.com.
7. How can we assure that the learners are working on the modules while the Internet is on?
Supervision is needed, but there are tools and programs that can be used in order to limit
access to certain Internet sites.
The eSkwela Project addresses the educational concern of out of school youths and adults
(OSYAs) in the country by providing an ICT delivery platform for DepED’s Alternative
Learning System (Accreditation & Equivalency program). eSkwela helps OSYAs to acquire
relevant life skills and prepare them to rejoin the formal education system or review for the
Accreditation and Equivalency Exam, which, if they pass, would provide them with an
equivalent of an elementary or a secondary level of education.
The eSkwela Project, a delivery mode of DepED’s Alternative Learning System (ALS), is the
only project geared towards providing ICT-enhanced education to the marginalized out-of-
school population. Moreover, the eSkwela Project through its instructional model goes
39
beyond providing basic computer literacy and on to actually using technology as a tool for
learning.
CICT is currently looking for groups and individuals within communities who will initiate
the setup of new eSkwela Center across the country. Local government units (LGUs), local
DepED offices, Non-Government Organizations (including church and civic organizations),
schools, business groups, Internet cafés can come in as partners and take an important role in
addressing the infrastructure and sustainability requirements of its own eSkwela Center. The
project encourages a multistakeholder approach in which different groups work side-by-side
towards bringing ICT-enhanced alternative learning to the community’s out-of-school youth
and adults.
4. What is the first step that I have to take to set up an eSKwela Center?
You need to contact the CICT-eSkwela Project Team when planning to setup an eSkwela
center in their own localities. Close coordination between potential community partners and
CICT is highly important, as this will assure that the successful setup of an eSkwela
Center will be established as intended.
You have to consider the two most immediate requirements of an eSkwela Center:
b. Basic personnel requirement – specifically the need for at least 1 staff who will be trained
as an eSkwela learning facilitator. You can talk to the DepED division in your office to ask if
they can assign one of their mobile teachers/instructional managers as learning facilitators in
your proposed Center. Otherwise, you can have any one from your organization to become an
eSkwela learning facilitator ( He/she must at least be a college graduate and has already
underwent DepED’s basic course in ALS). Information on the aforementioned requirements
should be communicated to CICT by filling up and sending the Readiness Assessment
Form/Application Form (available at http://eskwela.wikispaces.com/Site+Inquiries) to the
CICT-eSkwela Project Team.
40
CICT can give recommendations on how to complete the requirements needed to setup your
eSkwela Center. CICT can also connect you with organizations within your community
which may help address the various components and requirements of your Center.
7. If I am setting up an eSkwela Center, what can I expect from CICT as its counterpart
contribution?
CICT’s role in the eSkwela project is on the eSkwela instructional model, which includes the
development of the electronic modules and module guides that will be used at the eSkwela
Centers. Also, CICT provides the expertise in using the instructional model and transfers it to
implementers through training workshops. Moreover, CICT provides assistance, including
handholding and off-site technical support. CICT also conducts monitoring and evaluation
activities to ensure the effective implementation of each eSkwela Center.
8. I already have a computer facility that I am willing to be used for eSkwela. Can I just ask
for a copy of the modules and install it? No. eSkwela is leaps and bounds beyond just the
electronic modules. Implementors, especially the learning facilitators, have to be equipped
with the know-how in optimally utilizing the instructional model (including the eModules,
Learning Management System, module guides, and the learner-centered, projectbased, life
skills-oriented approach towards alternative learning). Community partners have to grasp the
resources requirements and the importance of their commitment towards sustaining an
eSkwela Center. As an interested implementer, you will have to communicate with CICT
your intent in setting up eSkwela Centers, which in turn will help you go through the setup
requirements and process.
41
ORDINANCE NO. SP-______ S-2008
(PO2008-###)
WHEREAS, Section 12.1 Rules XII of RA 9155 stipulates that the “Alternative
Learning System is a parallel learning system to provide a viable alternative to the existing
formal education instruction, encompassing both the non-formal and informal sources of
knowledge and skills”;
WHEREAS, there are people, due to financial and/other difficulties did not finish
either elementary or secondary education, but express willingness to finish secondary
education;
42
Accreditation and Equivalency (ALS A&E) that provides an alternative means of
certification of learning to those Filipinos aged 15 years and above whoa re unable to avail of
the formal school system or have dropped out of formal elementary and secondary education;
WHEREAS, the ALS A&E can be acquired through varied learning support delivery
system provided by a trained Instructional ManagerLearning Facilitator (IMLF);
WHEREAS, the eSkwela Project, a project of the CICT in partnership with DepEd-
BALS, is a new mode of delivery system of the ALS that incorporates the power of ICT for
education into non-formal education thru the establishment of community e-Learning centers
that caters to out-of-school youth and adults;
NOW, THEREFORE,
SECTION 1. There is herby established the (name of LGU) Alternative Learning Program
under the Local School Board that will plan and coordinate the implementation and
administration the (Municipality/City/Province)’s Alternative Learning System Accreditation
and Equivalency Program.
Further, the Instructional ManagerLearning Facilitators who had undergone trainings and had
been certified by the Alternative Learning Division of the Department of Education –
(Region) and had been certified by the Alternative Learning Division of the Department of
Education – (Region), as Instructional ManagerLearning Facilitators of the ALS A&E are
hereby tasked to formulate Implementing Rules and Regulations immediately upon approval
of the said ordinance in order to effect full compliance for the same.
SECTION 2. Objectives/Purpose
43
1. Help the (Municipal/City/Provincial) Government in addressing the learning needs of
the marginalized groups of the city’s population including the deprived and
underserved.
2. Generate awareness and support in term of resources between and among partner
agencies, thus putting all efforts together for the benefit of out-of-school youth and
adults including other marginalized group all over the (Municipality/City/Province).
1. On Project Implementation:
44
2. On Program Administration:
3. Reproduce copies of ALS A&E learning materials, not yet included in the list
of digitized ALS modules, for distribution to each individual learner based on
learners’ specified needs.
6. Provide each learner with expendable supplies and materials such as plastic
envelopes, paper and pencil.
7. Provide space within the learning center for the conduct of learning group
sessions and storage of one complete set of learning materials per learning
center and ensure the safekeeping and security of said learning center.
9. Recruit Center Managers that will manage the day-to-day operations of the
eSkwela Center.
45
15.Coordinate the printing and distribution of instructional materials.
SECTION 4. Coverage. Fifteen (15) years old and above, out-of-school youth of
(LGU).
SECTION 6. Funding. An initial funding necessary for the operation shall be allocated and to
be taken from the Special Education Fund or from any available funds of the City Treasury.
SECTION 7. Effectivity. This Ordinance shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication
in newspaper of general circulation.
ENACTED: (date)
ATTESTED:
(NAME)
Legislative Staff Officer
APPROVED: (date)
46
(NAME OF MAYOR/GOVERNOR)
Name of Municipality/City/Province
CERTIFICATION
This is to certify that this Ordinance which was APPROVED on Second Reading on (date)
was finally PASSED on Third/Final Reading by the City Council on (date).
(NAME)
Legislative Staff Officer
47
Sample eSkwela Center Budget
(Also see the eSkwela Center Budget based on the model: center, school, mobile, internet
café)
48
Other expenses 6,000.00
GRAND
TOTAL 1,656,900.00
49
DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SHEET
50
11) Sumulat ka ng pangungusap tungkol sa iyong hanapbuhay
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
Sa Pilipinas:
Labimpitong (17) bata ang nabubulag sa araw-araw sanhi ng kakulangan
sa Bitamina A.
Dahil sa ganitong kalagayan kalahati (1/2) ng mga buntis o
nagdadalantao ay nanghihina dulot ng anemia.
Dahil sa ganitong kalagayan, mahigit sa isang (1) milyong bata ang tuloy-
tuloy na nababawasan ang katalinuhan bawat taon.
51
a. Ilang bata ang nabubulag araw-araw?
_____________________________________
52
e. Ano kaya ang iminungkahi ng talata?
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
3. KAPALIGIRAN
53
mahaluan ang pagkain at pinagkukunan ng tubig. Maghugas ng mabuti
pagkatapos gumamit nito. Iimbak na sarado ang lalagyan. Iimbak sa lugar
na malamig at tuyo. Hindi ito dapat maabot ng bata at makain ng mga
alagang hayop.
5. PAG-INOM NG GAMOT
Si Agnes ay may ubo at dinala siya ng kaniyang ina sa doktor. Nagreseta ng gamot
ang doktor. Bumili ang kanyang ina ng isang bote ng UBO Forte. Kalakip dito ay direksiyon
sa wastong pagpapainom ng gamot:
EDAD GAMOT
54
oras
Kapag hindi pa naalis ang ubo sa loob ng isang lingo, patingin muli sa
doctor.
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
55
Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education
LGU logo (Region)
(DIVISION)
(Address)
Date: ______________/_____/________
Month Day Year
Learner’s Name: ______________________________________________________
Last Name First Name MI Nick Name
Schedule:
Days: From To PC No. Trainor
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
___________________________________ _______________________________________
Instructional ManagerLearning Facilitator Learner’s Signature and Date
Over Printed Name
56
The Internet Café Model
By Gener Luis Morada
Much has been said about the internet café industry mostly being a bad influence in the
community. Local government units have come up with ordinances and regulations that
aim to heavily regulate the industry rather than getting programs into place to provide
growth and change. The internet café industry has reached what is called the “Lechon
Manok” stage. The availability of low priced computer units and peripherals makes it easy
for anyone with little resources to invest in a computer shop. You can find an internet café
in almost every corner in the community all of them catering to the same market. This over
supply of computer resources brings about stiff competition among the players. Basically
what is needed right now by the internet café industry is to be able to provide additional
services to offer to its clients. The internet café of tomorrow is one that would provide a full
range of web related services available to its customers. It is hoped that someday, Internet
cafés would be called as Internet Access Providers.
The Internet café owner has to realize the important role to which his industry plays in the
community. Internet cafés are the front liners in the rapidly changing world of information
communication technology. They serve as the bridge between the community that could not
afford to have their own computer systems and DSL connection at home to the rapidly
changing world of the internet. They provide service and have the technology to be able to
change the social and economic conditions in the municipalities and cities in which they
operate. The Internet café business should not be looked down upon, but should be
considered as an industry that could contribute to the greater good of the community.
Proposal
Internet cafés can help bring the eSkwela program to the grassroots level through allowing
the use of its computer and Internet facilities around the community. Internet cafés are well
equipped with the latest computer resources. They are air-conditioned, well ventilated and
lighted. In effect, the number of eSkwela centers that could be established depends on the
number of Internet cafés that will be able to open their facilities for the project. Internet
cafés may be able to open up their facilities for eSkwela during the morning as these are
their idle hours. Most Internet café customers come during late afternoon until late in the
evening.
57
4.Local School Boards
5.Country Wide Development Fund of Congressmen and Senators
Costing Estimates
Assumptions:
No of Hours per module: 3 hours a day
Special Rate : P50 for 3 hours
No of days of access : 4 days a week
No of months to finish the course: 6 months
58