BUTUAN CITY – The Simbalan National High School (NHS) in Buenavista, Agusan del Norte received one set of desktop computer installed with stand-alone digital library, the Science & Technology Academic and Research-Based Openly Operated Kiosk Station (STARBOOKS) from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). It will serve as the school’s main learning platform for digitized S&T resources, in addition to the few available reference materials from the school’s library. Moreover, STARBOOKS will aid teachers in enhancing their learning materials using available modules on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) from the system. 

Also known as a "library in a box," the deployment of STARBOOKS was initiated by the Science and Technology Information Institute (STII) of DOST which aims to provide access to science and technology information for students, teachers, and researchers, especially for schools in remote areas throughout the Philippines. 

Internet connectivity was also provided to Simbalan NHS which shall open opportunities for the school to access unlimited resource materials to be used in the delivery of quality education for its students. It shall further allow them to get connected with the fast relay of communication in the new normal and cope up with demands of today’s distance learning. Thru the utilization of different online platforms, teachers and students of the school can now actively participate in the different S&T-related trainings and other relevant activities which are being conducted online. 

The school is located within the heart of Brgy. Simbalan, approximately 40 kilometers from Buenavista’s center of economy. The provision of quality education for the students of the community has been challenged with the absence of access to fast communication, to include internet connectivity and telecommunication signal. The school’s situation was even made more difficult with the COVID 19 crisis which compelled schools to adopt distant learning strategies. Students and educators in the barangay were greatly deprived with sufficient educational resources, and with the updated science and technology information to help increase the students’ awareness and interest on S&T education. 

This initiative is part of DOST’s implementation of the program, “Community Empowerment thru Science and Technology,” for Brgy. Simbalan. The interventions provided will significantly contribute to the school’s continued pursuit in providing quality education for the students in the barangay, and to eventually increase the youth’s appreciation on how science, technology and innovation work for the development of their community. (DOST Agusan del Norte/PIA Agusan del Norte)