DepEd’s Technical Service Director appointed as chair of SEAMOLEC Governing Board

MANILA, Oct. 4 (PNA) -- The Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization – Regional Open Learning Center (SEAMOLEC) recently appointed Department of Education's Technical Service Director Mari Paul Soriano as chair of the Governing Board.

SEAMOLEC, an Indonesian-based center of excellence, said they recognized efforts of Soriano in accelerating DepEd's computerization program and the provision of ICT infrastructure for digital literacy.

Information and communication technology (ICT) for education is being spearheaded by DepEd Secretary Jesli Lapus, himself recognized by Certiport as a champion of digital learning.

The education chief said Soriano's appointment to SEAMEO's governing board is "a boost to education, and will help make the regional center's educational programs more relevant to the Philippine setting."

The mission of SEAMOLEC is "to serve one million clients by 2010."

Through Open and Distance Learning (ODL), DepEd as its member-organization is on its way to providing education for all.

ODL is the fastest, most cost-effective way of reaching out to in and out-of-school learners SEAMOLEC hopes to educate by 2010.

It makes use of various media: print, radio and television broadcasts, video and audio cassettes, computer-based learning and telecommunications.

SEAMOLEC is currently developing a network called SEA EduNet for sharing open and educational resources and building online learning communities among Southeast Asian educators.

"Considering the geographic conditions of Southeast Asia, what is required is a system to unite and to disseminate information and knowledge among educational institutions. This can be accomplished with SEA EduNet," Lapus said.

Through ODL, learners will overcome learning barriers brought about by geographical and financial constraints, and will encourage self-paced, flexible study.

ODL is implemented via DepEd's Open High School System which is an alternative mode of providing secondary education.

It is open to Filipino learners of high school age who can demonstrate capacity for independent learning.

Soriano hopes that with his three-year chairmanship, "the Philippine education system will benefit from the vast potentials of ODL, in the same manner as our partners in Southeast Asia – such as Thailand and Indonesia – have."

In support for the ODL system, DepEd has embarked on Information Communication Technology for Education or ICT4E, which will bring education to all kinds of learners anytime, anywhere through the use of ICT.

Lapus said "SEAMOLEC is a venue where Southeast Asian countries can cooperate and work towards a competitive Southeast Asian model for digitised education."