DSWD, NGOs set up e-learning network for kids

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and its non-government organization partners laid the groundwork for a distance learning program for day-care centers. Dubbed Philippine e-Learning Network (PeN Project), the early childhood program aims to cover children in day-care centers. "Our main goal for this project is to provide quality and holistic early childhood care education, not only developing the child's cognitive, social, physical and emotional aspect but also integrate health, nutrition and other needs of the children to be part of the pre-school program," Cabral said in an article on the DSWD website (www.dswd.gov.ph). Cabral signed a memorandum of agreement recently with MFI Foundation, Inc. and Technology Support Services, Inc. (TSSI) for the creation of the PeN Project. PeN is a distance learning program for day care centers under the early childhood care and development (ECCD) program of the government for all barangay day care centers. It hopes to increase enrollment of day care children from 1.2 million to 3 million. For a start, the project will cover 42,000 barangay day care centers nationwide. Under the project, children will experience a stimulating and enriching early childhood experience carried out through the home, day care, pre-school or kindergarten. Their parents will be provided with a literacy training and continuing education program. Parents, caregivers, day care workers and pre-school teachers will be trained on proper stimulation and development of children. Also, the program will review and update pre-school curriculum. DSWD will ensure that close coordination with all relevant national and local government agencies will be secured, undertake social preparation, capability building training for its field staff as well as public relations and dissemination about the program. It will also provide the program with the teaching materials and aids for the barangay day care centers requirements on early childhood care and development and assist in the development of new and relevant teaching aids, as needed. MFI Foundation Inc. will assist DSWD in the preparation of the instructional materials required for early childhood care education. For its part, TSSI will help the DSWD build information technology infrastructures needed for the project and manage an end-to-end satellite-based distance learning network. TSSI will also help manage the program campaign, raise funds for the sustainability of the program, as well as in the production and broadcast of satellite-ready instructional materials. - GMANews.TV