Cebu Summary [2016-11-11]

Each time we’re in Cebu, we send a summary of our work to the two Department of Education Division offices that we support, Cebu Province and Mandaue City.  This visit was significant in that for the first time, Reneal exceeded one million Philippine pesos in project costs!  We couldn’t have done it without generous hardware donations from Free Geek (www.freegeek.org) and Polycom Corporation (www.polycom.com), in addition to the wonderful supporters who support us with cash donations.  Seeing five new Reneal labs come to life and seeing the fourteen UCSAP scholars in the midst of the school year make it all worthwhile!  We are so grateful to Reneal Team Philippines as well – they helped make it all possible.

Below is the summary we provided to Dr. Rhea Mar Angtud and Dr. Arden Monisit, Schools Division Superintendents of Cebu Province Division and Mandaue City Division respectively.

October 17, 2016

Dear Dr. Angtud and Dr. Monisit,

Greetings of Peace and Joy from Reneal International Education Outreach Incorporated!  This letter serves to summarize the recent work of Reneal IEO.  In September and October of 2016, Reneal IEO extended its system to an additional five schools, including three systems designated specifically for Senior High.  Four of the schools are in Cebu Province Division: Calape National High School (Daanbantayan), Tominjao National High School (Daanbantayan), Carmen Senior High School, and Daanbantayan Senior High School.  One of the new schools is in the Mandaue City Division: Labogon Senior High School.  In addition, Reneal IEO donated additional computer equipment (including over 50 flat panel monitors) to address attrition at several schools served in prior years.  Estimated total donation value from Reneal IEO for these recent projects in Cebu is almost 1,100,000 Philippine pesos.  We have now supported a total of 25 schools in Cebu. 

The table on the next page provides a summary of the recent Reneal IEO projects in Cebu, including the approximate donation amount.  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 new to the Reneal system later this month.

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, but provides excellent performance and long life.  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. 

Reneal IEO historically has viewed its work in Cebu as a long-standing partnership with the schools we support.  We hope the Division Offices share that view.

Reneal IEO Philippines Project Summary, September-October 2016

*        New installation in September-October 2016

**     Includes the value of donated used computer equipment from American companies, plus equipment shipping costs.