Transforming isolated schools into digital learning centers

With support from Internet Society Foundation, unconnected.org partner Kingred Network, and assisted by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) deployed a community network at Bural Integrated School. 

Connectivity was provided in this remote part of Zinundungan Valley, Cagayan, Luzon, Philippines, primarily for student use. In times of emergencies, it doubles as an evacuation center and a hub equipped with Internet able to support disaster response operations. 

Community stakeholders welcomed the initiative to promote affordable connectivity while sustaining free Internet in areas of social impact as a historic move, changing lives of students and teachers alike. 

According to the Department of Education (DepEd), this aligns well with “Project Classhome,” as it is a hybrid connectivity solution that enables access in rural areas, transforming schools into digital learning centers.

Connectivity has been a barrier to quality education in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDA), remarked DepEd. Through this community network along with the Free Internet in Public Places Project, the Philippines is another step closer to bridging the digital divide.