The Siay eSkwela Center

After the long preparation to ensure its proper administration, the Municipality of Siay has formally launched their eSkwela Center on July 1, 2009 at the Siay Municipal building.

The eSkwela Program, an added value program to the current Siay Community eCenter, was made possible through the partnership of the Commission on ICT (CICT) and the Department of Education.

The launch was attended by Siay Municipal Mayor Hon. Julius T. Acosta, Sr., Siay Vice Mayor Valentin B. Semella, Public Schools District Supervisor Mrs. Minda C. Alcantara, Bureau of Alternative Learning System Director Carolina S. Guerrero, and Provincial Schools Superintendent Dr. Manuel M. Muyargas.

Siay Mayor Julius T. Acosta (right) doing the ceremonial ribbon cutting during the launch of Siay eSkwela

The idea for the Siay eSkwela Center was conceived during the CICT-sponsored CeC Managers Exchange Program, which was attended by Mr. Limner D. Perolino of Siay CeC. Together with Engr. Romeo T. Ojas, Jr., they participated in the conduct of the eSkwela Learning Facilitators Training held on June 15-19, 2009 in Butuan City, which aimed to gather and prepare learning facilitators in the overall management and operation of the eSkwela Learning Management System platform.

The Siay eSkwela Center is the first eSkwela in the whole province of Zamboanga Sibugay.

The eSkwela program is an initiative of the CICT’s Human Capital Development Group. Under this program, community-based e-learning centers, or eSkwelas, are established in major centers in the country to conduct ICT-enhanced alternative education programs for interested individuals.

These centers serve as venues where out-of-school learners and other community members can learn new skills and competencies, review for the Accreditation and Equivalency (A&E) examination of the DepEd-BALS, and help prepare learners to rejoin the formal school system.