DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY. Public school teachers in Nueva Ecija learn how to use a solar-powered digital library in this undated photo. Ten schools in Nueva Ecija were the latest recipients of the first digital science library in the Philippines, the Science and Technology Academic and Research-Based Openly Operated KioskS (STARBOOKS) of the Department of Science and Technology. (Photo courtesy of the DOST-3)
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga – The Department of Science and Technology-Central Luzon (DOST-3) is continuously reaching out to more learners in the region, providing them with better access to various information through the digital science library.
Ten public schools in the first district of Nueva Ecija were the latest recipients of the first digital science library in the Philippines, the DOST’s Science and Technology Academic and Research-Based Openly Operated KioskS (STARBOOKS).
The recipient schools are the Sto. Rosario National High School, Triala National High School, Paitan Sur National High School, Vicente R. Bumanlag Sr. National High School, Tabacao National High School, Zaragoza National High School, Eduardo L. Joson Memorial High School, Nampicuan National High School, Restituto B. Peria National High School and Doroteo R. Jose Elementary School, benefitting some 2,400 students.
A STARBOOKS is a stand-alone information source that operates even without the use of the internet. The information it contains comes in a variety of media-text, video and audio which can be accessed offline, making it a “very valuable learning resource” for schools located in far-flung areas.
Charlotte Joy Aprisun P. Catigday, Project Technical Assistant I of the DOST-Provincial Science and Technology Office in Nueva Ecija, said on Wednesday the project is part of the Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (CEST) program which aims to increase students' interest in science through the use of the digital library.
Through the STARBOOKS technology, Catigday said students and teachers can access a wealth of information that can enhance their research skills.
In an interview, DOST-3 Regional Director Julius Caesar Sicat said STARBOOKS is DOST’s response to the call to make science and technology available to more students.
He said that STARBOOKS has facilitated students’ research activities as they now have access to science and technology-based information previously available only in big school libraries.
“The DOST will continue to work with the Department of Education to provide the means for which more schools may benefit from such technologies,” Sicat said.
With a total of 23 STARBOOKS systems already deployed in Nueva Ecija since 2018, the DOST-3 plans to expand its coverage to more schools in the province. (PNA)
