By the numbers: Philippines 2015 [2015-03-15]

As Neal and I neared the end of the 2015 Philippines projects, we prepared a letter for the Cebu Province Division and Mandaue City Division Superintendents to summarize the Reneal IEO effort for this year.  I’ll include it below.  The Reneal IEO system was installed in six new schools in 2015, and additional computers were added to four of the 2014 schools.  The total estimated value of the donated equipment, purchased equipment, and equipment shipping was $19,097.  Thanks to our generous donors for making this possible!  Thanks also to Aboitizland (in the Philippines) and three United States companies for their donations of used computer equipment; thanks to them, Reneal IEO was able to donate 87 computers.

Dr. Arden D. Monisit, Schools Division Superintendent, Cebu Province Division

Dr. Virginia C. Zapanta, Schools Division Superintendent, Mandaue City Division

March 2, 2015

Dear Dr. Monisit and Dr. Zapanta,

Greetings of Peace and Joy from Reneal International Education Outreach Incorporated!  This letter serves to summarize the work of Reneal IEO in Cebu this year.  In 2015, Reneal IEO extended its system to an additional six schools.  Four of the schools are in Cebu Province Division: Liloan National High School, Arcelo Memorial National High School (Liloan), Kawit National High School (Medellin), and Compostela Night High School.  Two of the new schools are in the Mandaue City Division: Labogon National High School and Jagobiao National High School.  In addition, Reneal IEO donated additional computer equipment to four schools served in prior years: Tayud National High School (Consolacion), Carmen National High School, Daanbantayan National High School, and Compostela National High School.  Estimated total donation value from Reneal IEO for the 2015 projects in Cebu is 840,263 Philippine pesos.

The table on the next page provides a summary of the 2015 Reneal IEO projects in Cebu, including approximate donation amount and number of students at each school.  We would also like to acknowledge the computer equipment generously donated to Reneal IEO by three American companies and the Aboitiz group of companies in support of this work.  The value of these donations is included in the summary table.  Teacher orientation training is offered for schools where the Reneal IEO system is installed, and the number receiving this training is also provided in the table.  Formal system administration training will be offered for the IT teachers in May.

The Reneal IEO system is based upon Ubuntu and Open Source software.  As such, it is free and legal for use by schools.  It does not suffer from virus problems and the centralized nature of the system greatly reduces maintenance costs and time for the ICT teachers.  Centralized file storage is also much more efficient to use for students and teachers because they can access their files from any of the computers on campus that are connected to the server.  Teacher accounts are password protected so students cannot access teacher information.  The Reneal IEO system allows for the use of older computers, even those without a hard disk.  The system has the standard types of applications taught to students in the Dep Ed curriculum, but also includes a huge collection of applications and resources for teachers for ICT integration in all other subject areas. However because the Reneal IEO system is a server-client configuration, any existing Microsoft software installed on the computers can still be used. 

Reneal IEO views its work here as a long-standing partnership with the schools of Cebu.  The IT teachers at these schools are leaders in identifying the creative use of technology that can be developed and shared with other schools.  Reneal IEO looks forward to continuing to support these schools into the future, as well as expanding to other schools in Cebu in 2016 and beyond. 

Sincerely,

Rene L. Bierbaum and Neal R. Bierbaum

Cc:

Mrs. Ma. Elena T. Paras

Dr. Fay C. Luarez

Reneal International Education Outreach Incorporated 2015 Philippines Project Summary

*    New installation in 2015

** Includes the value of donated used computer equipment from three American companies and the Aboitiz group of companies in the Philippines, plus equipment shipping costs.