By Christian Allister Tubadeza
TUBO, Abra, Philippines — In a community where internet connectivity remains a challenge, a new digital learning resource is opening access to educational materials for students and teachers of Tubtuba Elementary School (TUES) in the remote village of Tubtuba, here.
Recently installed at the school, the Science and Technology Academic and Research-Based Openly-Operated KioskS (STARBOOKS) from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is expected to assist learners in accessing educational materials despite the absence of internet service.
Barangay Tubtuba is approximately 80 kilometers away from the capital town of Bangued. During rainy seasons, the safest and most convenient route for vehicles is via the Municipality of Quirino in Ilocos Sur Province, since traversing through the Municipal Hall of Tubo is risky due to rockslides and mudslides.
For years, teachers in Tubtuba have relied heavily on printed references and limited learning materials to supplement classroom instruction. With the deployment of STARBOOKS, students now have access to thousands of science and technology resources, educational videos, digitized publications, and interactive learning materials through a stand-alone offline digital library.
Dubbed as the country’s first digital science library in a box, STARBOOKS allows users to explore a vast collection of information without the need for an internet connection, making it particularly valuable for geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas such as Tubtuba.
TUES School Principal Elizabeth Macalingay Manggalis said she is delighted that the digital library can operate entirely offline. She said that aside from helping the students, the STARBOOKS will also aid the teachers of TUES in their lesson plans.
“Daytoy STARBOOKS ket dakkel ti tulong na lalo ta offline. Adu ti karga ti STARBOOKS nga mabalin nga usaren dagiti teachers kasta met dagiti students mabalin da ti agbrowse uray adu da ta adda met router na so this will be of great help for our pupils,” she said.
(This will help us a lot, especially working offline. It is loaded with materials that can be used by teachers and students simultaneously because it has a router, so this will be a great help for the pupils.)
DOST-Abra Science and Research Specialist Mark Jay Trinidad also shared that the STARBOOKS will run even during a power outage since it is equipped with Solar Panels, Uninterrupted Power Source (UPS) and routers. He emphasized that the priority beneficiaries are those in Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs).
“Ang priority natin dito ay ‘yung mga nasa GIDA areas especially ‘yung mga walang internet connectivity. Since it is offline, magagamit siya kahit walang internet. May thousands of topics na puwedeng gamitin ng teachers and students,” he explained.
Meanwhile, Abra Police Provincial Office (PPO) Revitalized-Pulis Sa Barangay Focal Person (R-PSB) Master Sergeant Albie May Liyad explained that the intervention was identified and facilitated through the efforts of the R-PSB of the Abra PPO, which recognized the need for additional educational support in the community and coordinated with DOST to bring the technology to the school.
“Base po sa need assessment ng Revitalized-Pulis Sa Barangay team natin dito, na-identify na itong schools, kailangan nila ng STARBOOKS. Ngayon nandito na ‘yung project so nagpapasalamat tayo sa DOST kasi binigay nila ‘yung kailangan ng school,” Liyad shared.
The deployment of STARBOOKS in isolated areas highlights the whole-of-nation approach in ensuring that learners in far-flung areas are not left behind in an increasingly digital world. (JDP/CAGT – PIA CAR, Abra)
