For so many years, it is no secret that the people of the Philippines give high importance on education even though there are hurdles in front. Recently, it got a shot in the arm through an innovative “empowerment through education” concept to provide access to education to more people, particularly in poor rural areas.
Time to win for education
It was in August 2021 that the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), through its much-admired “Taiwan Excellence” that highlights ingenuity in product and technological innovation, held a worldwide competition called “Taiwan Excellence: Sharing is Caring” in search of excellent sustainability programs and concepts. Out of the total 61 countries that submitted proposals, the Top 3 winners were chosen, and one came from the Philippines.
The “Taiwan Excellence Mobile Classroom” project is a roving classroom that will offer free education to marginalized members of society and was conceptualized by a non-stock, non-profit organization called SEED4Com (Sustainable Energy and Enterprise Development for Communities). The group seeks to help improve human conditions and empower poverty-stricken rural communities such as those in Cebu province where the program originated.
In partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd), the “Taiwan Excellence Mobile Classroom” will use the DepEd-developed Alternative Learning System (ALS) learning modules to help the out-of-school youth, unschooled parents, the unemployed, and the Computer Illiterate in 17 towns in Cebu province, where they will be taught to learn Integrated Math, Entrepreneurship, Life Skills, and Digital Citizenship.
Time to launch
And soon, the public will have a glimpse of the “Taiwan Excellence Mobile Classroom,” which will be launched this coming November 9, 2022 (Wednesday) at the Centennial Hall of the Manila Hotel along Roxas Boulevard in Manila.
Officials and representatives from Taiwan’s Bureau of Foreign Trade under the country’s Ministry of Economic Affairs, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in the Philippines, and from the DepEd are expected to grace the momentous occasion.
Organized by the Bureau of Foreign Trade (BOFT) and the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), the vision of “Taiwan Excellence: Sharing is Caring” was to help make society a better place by giving everyone an opportunity to raise ideas about charity and other altruistic activities related to the sustainable development of society and environmental protection by utilizing products of Taiwan Excellence.
