Elisar Gapol, the Public School District Supervisor in Tampilisan, Zamboanga del Norte, was excited about President Ferdinand R. Marcos’ visit to Camul Elementary School on Friday, which he considered a historic moment for the town.

Located in a fourth-class municipality, the school has 255 students and recently received two Starlink satellite-linked internet systems and an interactive idea hub.

Internet connectivity is essential for a “Last Mile” school like Camul Elementary School, said Gapol.

The Department of Education (DepEd) has placed schools in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas under the Last Mile Schools Program to address gaps in resources and facilities.

“Napakaimportante, kasi ‘yung online namin na mga reports pati ‘yung sa mga bata, sa mga lessons, nagagamit po nila. Lalo na dito sa mga Last Mile schools,” Gapol said of the satellite-based internet service.

“‘Yung Last Mile schools malalayo. And although highway po itong Camul, minsan walang internet. Kaya ‘yung Starlink natin, kahit dadalawa lang may free load na. So nakakatulong po talaga,” Gapol added.

Teachers use the internet to download and submit reports, as well as to create instructional materials.

However, the proper tools teachers use should be supported by internet connectivity, as per the “One Teacher One Laptop (OTOL)” project of DepEd.

“Lahat ng teachers may laptop. At kada classroom po ng Zamboanga del Norte, merong television kasi may program din po na one TV per classroom,” he explained.

Asked to comment on President Marcos’ initiative to provide schools with internet connection, Gapol said, “Salamat po talaga sa President natin kasi naisip niya ito talaga sa education kasi importante po ito sa atin.”

“At sana dadami pa ang mga schools na maka-receive nito,” Gapol added. | PND