QUEZON CITY -- Dubbed as Home of the Winds, Batanes offers a wide variety of sceneries ideal to people who would like to escape the busyness of the city. Due to its location, the province remains secluded, and its beauty remains preserved. 

Unfortunately, its location also serves as a challenge to its people. One of the groups most affected by this are those in the educational sector, as raised during DOST Region II’s Online STARBOOKS Training.

On 08 July, DOST-II partnered with DepEd Region 02 and conducted an online training for the Schools Divisions Office in Batanes. Aside from a lecture on DOST’s STARBOOKS program, teachers from the province aired their questions and concerns regarding this.

One of the participants, by the name of Teacher Jodee, aired her appreciation for DOST’s STARBOOKS as she stated, “In all honesty, I am thankful for DOST for STARBOOKS because it has helped us a lot, especially during this pandemic, especially with our learning system.” She stated that Batanes has been practicing a modular system, a learning style focused on handing students their modules for their lessons. 

Through STARBOOKS and its application, teachers and students alike can have access to academic resources at their homes.

Aside from this, STARBOOKS aims to answer the province’s main concern on connectivity. Due to its limited access to the internet, STARBOOKS is capable of offering them unlimited access to academic resources without the need for an internet connection.

Lastly, Moses M. Bulauan, STARBOOKS focal person for Region II, and Mitchel B. Lechuga, STARBOOKS contact for Batanes, considered their call for help in providing solar powered STARBOOKS units in the province. Due to the province’s limited resources in electricity, it would be a big help for the people if their units are solar-powered. (HMallillin/ S&T Pen 02)