Smart, Ateneo de Davao University bring technology closer to madrasah learners in BARMM

PLDT’s wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc.’s (Smart) School-in-a-Bag (SIAB) continues to benefit more Islamic schools in Mindanao. In partnership with the Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU) and its Madaris Volunteer Program (MVP), the digital tools package is expected to bring technology closer to Muslim learners in the Bangsamoro Region.

“This partnership is a significant step towards providing quality and sustainable educational support to our partner madaris in the BARMM region,” said Tessa Alison, MVP’s Internal Stakeholder Facilitator.

Through ADDU’s generous program sponsors, four SIAB packages were recently turned over to MVP partner ‘madaris’ or Islamic schools Markaz Al-Huzaim, Mahad Saadah Al-Arabie Integrated School, Hadji Ali Baganian Memorial School, and Sakeenah Al-Islamiyah Institute (SAI). 

Saida Makmod-Kamansa, SAI’s school administrator, said, “Chalks and blackboard are no longer sufficient to teach this generation of kids. Thanks to ADDU, MVP, and Smart, we now have the needed tools for the digitalization of our classrooms that would benefit our teachers and sustain the learning of our pupils.”

Smart’s digital classroom contains learning equipment like tablets pre-loaded with educational mobile applications for learners, including the Tahderriyah and Ta’allam apps, a laptop, and connectivity devices for teachers, to boost inclusive quality education in hard-to-access places. 

This initiative is part of Smart’s continued partnership with ADDU for its education efforts in the Bangsamoro Region. The telco initially donated 20 Learn Smart kits for the MVP teacher volunteers and trained them to use the disaster-resilient pedagogy, CVIF-Dynamic Learning Program.  

PLDT and Smart continue to enable learning communities through technology, as part of the group’s commitment to promote digital inclusion and help the country achieve United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal No. 4: Quality Education.