TOP PRIORITY IN INTEGRATION OF I.T.C. IN CURRICULUM URGED BY CHED

The motivation, preparation and formation of educators in the use and of information and communication technology (ICT) are critical in the effective adoption of ICT, a top education official stressed. 

The training and development of the teaching and non-teaching staff in information and communication technology must come as first priority or in tandem with the procurement and installation of the infrastructure equipment, added Commissioner on Higher Education Manuel Punzal.

The Commissioner further underscored that today, in the era of the knowledge-based economy, educational institutions have to respond to the challenges ushered in by the technological advancement to achieve the needed development. 

In a Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and Net Curricula Inc. (NCI) Forum that was held recently, NCI a pioneer information and communications technology integration firm, presented its roadmap of integration for schools. Net Curricula's Technology Integration Roadmap is a multi-stage multi-user guide to help educational institutions achieve technology integration through ICT infrastructure and competencies.

The roadmap was drawn in line with Net Curricula and CHED's commitment to bridge the existing gap between the skills learned in the classroom and the skills needed by the Digital Age workplace.

At the said partnership forum, CHED signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Net Curricula for the latter to provide ICT consultancy and training to the country's more than 100 state colleges and universities.

Net Curricula will help state colleges and universities devise their schools' technology plans and provide trainings that will focus primarily on faculty computer literacy to enable educators to use technology in their teaching and administrative tasks.

Net Curricula pioneered technology integration in Philippine schools through a holistic approach called the Pentagon solution, which combines best-of-breed components of faculty training, computer hardware, Internet connectivity, curriculum resources and systems management.

Punzal narrated that since its inception in the early 1990s Net Curricula has adopted its mission of effective integration of ICT in the education system as its contribution to education in the country.

"Today's highly competitive industries need world class performance professionals to bring the Philippines into the global arena where ICT skills are a minimum requirement," stressed Punzal "Our schools must take the lead in forming these skills so that our graduates are better prepared for the jobs and challenges of the 21st century."At the said partnership forum, CHED signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Net Curricula for the latter to provide ICT consultancy and training to the country's more than 100 state colleges and universities

Source:vanzi S.J.(March 11, 2001).TOP PRIORITY IN INTEGRATION OF I.T.C. IN CURRICULUM URGED BY CHED.Retrieved from:http://www.newsflash.org/2001/03/si/si000835.htm