Stakeholders - consisting of the school Principal, a representative of the Local School Board, and a representative of the Parents-Teachers Association - from the 48 public high schools (PHS) from northern Luzon (cluster 2) which are recipients of the iSchools 2009F project attended the Sustainability Planning Workshop (SPW) held at Heritage Resort, Caoayan, Ilocos Sur on November 22-25, 2010. The SPW aimed to familiarize the iSchools recipients on the principles and concepts of sustainability and how these may be applied to their schools and assist the participants in drafting their school Sustainability Plan. Through a series of workshops, the participants analyzed their respective school and community environments, identified the most appropriate sustainability model and crafted their respective school’s sustainability plan. The drafted sustainability model was then presented in a plenary session for critiquing and improvement.
The SPW was hosted by the Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College (ISPSC), the iSchools project implementer in the provinces of Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte. The other partner cluster 2 SUCs are Benguet State University (BSU), Isabela State University (ISU), Ifugao State University (IfSU) and Apayao State College (ASC). The iSchools project managers (PM) from these universities together with their respective project staff joined hands with the PM of ISPSC Mr. Eduardson Tacuban in managing the orderly and productive conduct of the workshop. Mr. Tacuban and Mr. Stradivary Caro, PM of IfSU, presented the first module, “My School, My Community” and SWOT Analysis. Dr. Mary Jane Bitanga, PM of ISU, and Mr. Philip Constantine Mandac, PM of ASC, presented the second module on the Concepts of Sustainability and the Sustainability Models. Ms. Flordeliza Naje, PM of BSU, presented the third module on eWaste Management, and Mr. Sherwin Mostoles, Finance Officer of ISU, discussed about the financial aspect of sustainability. Ms. Alexcenah Sta. Ines from the CICT staff presented the overview and objectives of the workshop and also discussed about the “eSkwela” Model. Interspersed between each module lectures are a series of workshops wherein the participants walked through step by step the development of their respective school’s sustainability plan. The participants were divided into 13 groups where each group was assisted by a facilitator. On the third day of the training, the participants proudly presented their completed outputs to their respective SUC Project Manager. The best two sustainability plans were then selected from each SUC group and presented during a plenary session. Based from the submitted outputs, most of the PHS adopted a “hybrid” model consisting of the fee-based model, computer services model and sponsorship model. One PHS from Isabela selected the eSkwela model and the Principal has even submitted the application form.
The opening program was attended by the President of ISPSC, Dr. Rafael Querubin, who provided the keynote message and promised the continued support of ISPSC to the iSchools project and the partnership. The closing program was graced by Mayor Germelina Singson Goulart of Caoayan, Ilocos Sur, who is very instrumental in the setting-up of iSchools laboratories in 2 PHS in her municipality.
To break the monotony of the long and tedious workshop sessions, the participants were treated to an evening of songs and dances (performed by the PMs, facilitators and the participants themselves) in the evening of the third day. And before going home, the participants were also given the opportunity to visit the historic Heritage City of Vigan, and the popular Baluarte Natures Park owned by Gov. Luis “Chavit” Singson.
Overall, the participants and the organizers rated the SPW as a resounding success. With their sustainability plans well crafted and ready for implementation, the participants committed that the iSchools laboratories (also known as the iWILL) will served its intended clientele for many years to come.
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