PHILIPPINES, JUNE 2021 – Learning in the new normal has become a challenge especially for marginalized communities. The blended approach is particularly difficult for those who may not have the right tools to access educational materials which are badly needed to facilitate learning.
To help address this challenge, Epson Philippines partnered with the world’s leading independent children’s organization, Save the Children, for a donation initiative to support blended learning in its partner communities.
The pandemic has disrupted the operations of groups working to establish early learning spaces in the most deprived areas in the country. One such example is Save the Children Philippines’ Kapit Bahay Aralan (KBA), an alternative, neighborhood-based learning program for children residing in urban settlements or in far-flung areas.
This period of remote learning made it harder for the KBAs to continue their operations since they lacked the resources in producing modules and other educational materials for their students, putting the development of early literacy, numeracy, self-care, health practices, and socialization among these children into a halt.
As a global technology leader, Epson recognizes the role it can play in addressing the issues that the new normal posed in all levels of education. Collaborating with Save the Children Philippines, Epson hopes to ease the situation by providing eco-friendly inkjet printers that will help the KBA’s para-teachers[1], students and parents continue with blended learning. Through the donation initiative, Save the Children Philippines received EcoTank L15160 inkjet printers, ink refills and paper supplies to support the remote learning of more than 900 KBA students across six barangays in Caloocan.
Aside from helping make blended learning easier and more attainable for Filipino children, Epson also encourages a shift to sustainable technology among its partners through its new printer sustainability campaign titled Be Cool, which reminds customers that it is possible to maximize productivity while reducing environmental impact. Developed with Epson’s revolutionary Heat-Free Technology, the L15160 printers donated to Save the Children Philippines will be able to produce learning materials efficiently while consuming less energy.
“We are pleased to have the opportunity to partner with Save the Children Philippines in helping marginalized communities get quality education amid the pandemic. Through our small donation initiative, we hope we can help the para-teachers and students in the community adapt better to learning in the new normal by making printed educational materials more accessible to them,” said Eduardo Bonoan, Head of Marketing for Epson Philippines.
[1] Those who have failed the licensure examination for professional teachers, with a rating of not lower than five percentage points from the passing general average rating, shall be eligible as para-teachers upon issuance by the Board of a two-year special permit, renewable for a non-extendible period of two (2) years. The para-teachers shall be assigned to areas where there is a shortage or absence of a professional teacher, as identified and provided by the Department of Education and the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) education department to the Board for professional teachers and to the Commission. The special permit shall indicate the area of assignment of the para-teacher. Source: Republic Act 9293
