IMPLEMENTATION OF eSKWELA PROGRAM AND ITS IMPACT ON THE LEARNERS IN A SELECTED MAJOR URBAN CENTER: BASIS FOR eSKWELA ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM FOR THE DIVISION OF LUCENA CITY

This descriptive study focused on the implementation of eSkwela Program and its impact on the learners in a selected major urban center. It utilized qualitative approaches in gathering data. Survey, interview, and focus group discussions were done to elicit responses from the Educational Program Supervisor in ALS, learning facilitators, and learners from a major urban center of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan. Data from interview and focused group discussion were coded, transcribed and analyzed. Results show that instructional resources such as digitized modules, books, sets of computers and whiteboards are available. Such instructional materials came from service providers, the CICT, and LGU. The instructional materials are sufficient in the first year of implementation but becoming insufficient at present. Financial resources were the partnership of CICT, LGU, and DepEd to assure the sustainability of learning facilitators/center managers’ honorarium, maintenance of the center building facilities, water, electric and internet connectivity. Budget for computers, digitized modules, training of teachers, facilities came from CICT and budget for internet and honorarium for center manager and learning facilitator or the mobile teachers came from the LGU. In terms of human resources, the standard qualification is computer literacy, attendance in trainings and seminars about the program. The learning centers were built through the support of the LGU and CICT partnership with requirements of internet connectivity and security and safety of the computer sets. Likewise, eSkwela Program has a great impact on the learners’ performance with regard to passing the A & E test so they can continue their studies in college and find a job. ICT helped learners to use his/her knowledge in computer in their job and others can be a e-learning facilitator. Meanwhile, the common problems are lack of computers, digitized modules, internet connectivity, discipline of the learners, honorarium of the learning facilitators and center managers and budget for the transportation of the learners as well as for instructional material and physical facilities especially the security of computers. The strategy they use in the implementation of eSkwela program is to allot time to look for service provider to provide the needs in the eSkwela class and the conduct of tutorials and more hands-on activities. It is recommended that the Education Program Supervisor school administrators and learning facilitators support the program to sustain better implementation of eSkwela Program. Employment of full time center manager is highly recommended to manage the operation of the program and purchase of new set of computers with internet connectivity, digitized modules and other equipment for eSkwela Program.