Bridging the Educational Divide: PLDT and Smart's Dynamic Learning Program for Inclusive Education

In the wake of classroom shortages that continue to plague the nation, Dr. Christopher Bernido, the creator of the Central Visayan Institute Foundation Dynamic Learning Program (CVIF DLP), has envisioned a crisis-resilient strategy designed to promote inclusive quality education. This program is designed in such a way that it caters to a wide spectrum of learners, ranging from challenged to advanced. The beauty of this system is that it allows students to learn from the comfort of their own homes, thereby reducing the barriers to education.

The CVIF DLP, developed in collaboration with his late wife and fellow Magsaysay awardee, Dr. Maria Victoria Bernido, is a module-based teaching instruction that simplifies complex topics into one-page activity sheets, known as the CVIF DLP Learning Activity Sheets. This innovative teaching methodology, tested and proven during the pandemic, allows students to learn at their own pace, with minimal teacher intervention, thus placing the power of education directly in the hands of the students.

Under the flagship education program of PLDT and Smart, known as School-in-a-Bag (SIAB), the CVIF DLP has found a nurturing home. SIAB is a portable digital classroom designed for deployment in geographically isolated, disadvantaged, and conflict-affected areas. This unique educational initiative provides not just hardware, but a comprehensive learning package that caters to the specific needs of these communities.

Each SIAB package is equipped with a laptop and ten tablets, pre-loaded with DepEd curriculum-based learning materials. Additionally, it includes mobile Wi-Fi and expandable storage devices. But what sets SIAB apart is the inclusion of teacher training and a year-long monitoring support system to ensure the successful implementation of this program.

Alongside the CVIF DLP, SIAB complements the Department of Education's 'MATATAG' curriculum. This collaborative program helps address learning gaps, especially among early grade students. As Stephanie Orlino, AVP and Head of Stakeholder Management at PLDT and Smart, puts it, "It ensures no learner is left behind even in times of crisis."

The SIAB initiative reflects the commitment of PLDT, Smart, and PSF to inclusive quality education. It combines the power of Information and Communications Technology, content, pedagogy, and capacity building to affirm that there is #NoLearnerLeftBehind.

Moreover, this initiative aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #4, which emphasizes Quality Education. By bridging the education gap and reaching out to isolated and disadvantaged communities, PLDT, Smart, and PSF are actively participating in global efforts to ensure quality education for all.

In a world increasingly reliant on digital technology, initiatives like the CVIF DLP and SIAB are critical for ensuring that every child, regardless of their geographical location or socio-economic status, has access to quality education. 

As we look towards a future where no learner is left behind, let us lend our support to initiatives like these that seek to democratize education and make it accessible to all. After all, education is not a privilege, but a right that every child should enjoy.

Our deepest gratitude to visionaries like Dr. Christopher Bernido and his late wife, Dr. Maria Victoria Bernido, who have tirelessly worked towards creating a resilient and inclusive educational framework that empowers learners and teachers alike.