School children told: Computers are for learning not for games
International Institute for Rural Reconstruction (IIRR) President Juan Miguel Luz yesterday stressed the importance of computers in today's technology. Computers are instrument for learning and not for games. It is one's gateway to the world, he said.
Luz made the statement in yesterday's turn-over ceremony at the Social Hall of the Division of City Schools. Yesterday, the Ayala Corporation donated 50 computers for the use of four public high schools in the city. During the turn-over, he saw some students playing computer games like solitaire.
Luz is a former undersecretary of finance and he represented the Montinola-Luz clan whose roots are also from Iloilo City. His mother is from the old rich Montinola clan and his wife hails from Oton.
The Montinola-Luz clan have been very supportive of the projects for the educational upliftment of the Ilonggo students.
Luz said computer literacy should start in high school.
"The computers become useful when the end user is the one who thinks of the problem. It is not a calculator neither an instrument for typing. It is for research. It helps one to think better," he said.
The 50 computers would be distributed to Bo. Obrero National High School, Buntatala National High School, Jaro National High School and Tiu Cho Teg Ana Ros Foundation Integrated School in Lanit, Jaro. The computer donation is relative to the Gearing-Up Internet Literacy and Access for Students (GILAS) project.
GILAS is a private sector intervention that seeks to bridge the digital divide by providing internet access among public high schools nationwide. Since 2006, 13 public high schools have been connected under the Project GILAS. Iloilo City is the third city nationwide to achieve 100 percent connectivity.
Luz said the availability of computers will likewise help the principal and teachers rethink of their teaching schemes. The performance of one school in National Achievement Test (NAT) does not rely on the computers. The teachers and principals must come out with a teaching strategy using computers. GILAS has the right technology.
The computer becomes an efficient tool in solving the problem. It becomes a library. One only needs to ask the right question. The school officials must rethink and reorganize. The result of the NAT will likewise improve with the availability of the computers, said Luz.
School authorities must institute proper reading skills among the Grade One pupils. While, Science and Math subjects must be inculcated when the students reach Grade Three. The reading and comprehension of students will follow, said Luz.
At the same time, Luz encouraged the students to master their skills in English, Match and Science if they want a better future especially those children who dream of working abroad. No employer will hire an unskilled worker.
Yesterday's turn-over was also attended by Mayor Jerry Treñas; Mario Derequito, GILAS Director, Ayala Foundation Inc; John Philip Orbeta, managing director head of corporate resources Ayala Corporation and school officials.