Globe Telecom supports proposal to build cell sites in public schools

On June 19, Friday, Globe Telecommunications said it is capable of building cell sites in public schools to aid the Department of Education with its “blended learning” approach for the upcoming 2020-2021 school year, which taps into television, radio, electronic, and online media to teach students. Classes are set to open on August 24.

The telco’s statement was a response to Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian who had proposed the idea in order to provide connectivity and support students’ continued learning, amid the threat of the coronavirus disease or COVID-19.

Said Globe Telecommunications’ Vice-President for Corporate Communications Yoly Crisanto during the Laging Handa public briefing of the Presidential Communications, “Kami ay sang-ayon diyan. Alam niyo naman na ang ating nagiging problema is actually the permit. Kung tayo po ay papayagan, tayo po ay puwede naman mag-build.”

(We agree with this. As you all know, the problem that we face is actually the permit. If we are to be authorized, we can build [the cell sites].)

“We also have to realize that in order to help the department, kailangan din tingnan ano ang challenges ng public at ng private schools kasi magkaiba po sila,” Crisanto added.

(We also have to realize that in order to help the department, we also need to look at the challenges of public and private schools because these are different.)

DepEd earlier reportedly started discussions with telecommunications companies as to how these could augment the connectivity requirements of teachers and learners, as these will be relying heavily on electronic means for the delivery of education.

“The other thing we are looking at to help DepEd is to upskill the teachers, ‘yung tinatawag nating teacher training,” said Crisanto. “Alam niyo po ang teachers natin ay ‘di sanay magturo kaharap ang computer; sanay sila magturo sa classroom kaharap ng mga bata. Meron tayong mga E-skwela webinar, libre po ‘yan, na puwede pong gamitin ng DepEd.”

“The other thing we are looking at to help DepEd is to upskill the teachers, what we call teacher training. As you know, our teachers are not used to teaching facing the computer; they are used to teaching in the classroom facing the children. We have E-skwela webinars which are free, which can be used by DepEd.”