Easing Access to Learning by Energizing Classrooms: A Solar Power and Gadget Donation Project in Culion, Palawan by Cartwheel Foundation and Insight Direct Philippines
By Cale Belyn Cruz
Tagbanwa students with their school supplies from Insight
In a world that is technology-driven, there are still many communities left behind, especially indigenous tribes in rural, remote areas where electricity is scarce and the wifi signal is weak to non-existent. Those especially affected by the lack of resources are teachers and students who struggle to make learning sustainable and accessible.
As part of Cartwheel Foundation Inc’s (CFI) thrust for quality education for indigenous children and their communities, CFI initiated a tech capacity-building project in Culion, Palawan starting September 2022 until March 2023.
The Solar Power and Gadget Donation Project was made possible by Insight Direct Philippines, a global technology company. They funded the installation of a solar power station at the Calamian Tagbanua IP Elementary School in Marabal, Culion, enabling better learning conditions for teachers and students. Additionally, Insight provided tech-related upgrades by donating gadgets (such as a laptop, a printer, and a projector) and school supplies for both Calamian Tagbanua IP Elementary School and Alulad IP Elementary School to share.
By bridging the energy and education gap, instructors will not only improve their teaching capacity but also deliver a better learning experience to approximately 83 Tagbanwa students from both IP schools.
The Island Life: Lack of Access to Basic Necessities
Marabal and Alulad are remote islands in Culion, Palawan – these areas are only accessible via a one-hour boat ride from Culion town proper.
Teachers from Marabal and Alulad especially struggle with the lack of electricity and a reliable water source. For them to print modules, learning aids, and other documentation needed, teachers must travel to the town proper by boat, with costs coming from their own pockets.
Culion, Palawan is home to the Tagbanwas, one of the oldest Indigenous Peoples groups in the Philippines
As part of Cartwheel Foundation’s capacity-building initiatives under its Education and Child Development Program, CFI proposed a project to install a solar power station in one indigenous community in Culion, Palawan, and turn over gadgets for the use of public school teachers such as a laptop, all-in-one printer, projector, and screen.
Bridging the Energy and Learning Gap through Solar
After securing the funding from Insight, in November 2022, CFI worked to obtain free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) from the Apung Manigerekelen of the Marabal-Alulad-Chindonan-Lamud Ancestral Domain (AD), the institutionalized Indigenous Political Structure (IPS) composed of Tagbanwa elders. This entailed in-person discussions and sending of formal requests for audience with the AD IPS. Since Tagbanwas are heavily dependent on nature-based livelihood, CFI had to be flexible to them, knowing that their livelihood came first.
Teresa Banta, our community coordinator, secures free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) from the Apung Manigerekelen of the Marabal-Alulad-Chindonan-Lamud Ancestral Domain Indigenous Political Structure (AD IPS)
After a preliminary review, a Memorandum of Agreement was drafted, discussed, and approved by the AD IPS. True ownership of the project was exercised during these discussions as the proposed site for the installation – the Calamian Tagbanua Elementary School – was ultimately chosen by the AD IPS themselves.
Gadget procurement was on-budget and delivered on time in early March 2023. Solar Solutions, our implementing partner, accomplished the final installation, along with the training of the technicians chosen by the community from March 12 to 14, 2023.
Solar Solutions, our implementing partner, installed the solar power station in Calamian Tagbanua IP Elementary School after initial assessment and consultation
The Solar Station was installed in Marabal where around 60 families reside. Gadgets and 18 boxes worth of school supplies were also turned over to four public school teachers assigned to Calamian Tagbanua IP Elementary School and Alulad IP Elementary School, which caters to a total of 83 students.
These impactful donations from Insight will hopefully increase student engagement in class, decrease teachers’ fatigue, and increase self-reliance through improved digital connectivity. As Teacher Miljoy remarked “Malaking tulong po sa amin iyang Solar…Hindi na po kami bababa sa bayan para mag-print lang ng napakaraming activity para sa mga bata…sana marami pa kayong matulungang IP schools na katulad namin…” (The Solar will help us greatly…We no longer have to go down to the town center just to print activities for the children…We hope that you can help many IP schools like us…)”
Present during the handover are CFI Executive Director, Rensi Pua; Insight Senior Manager, Edgar Ampil; and Teachers Milljoy, Marnelie, Ian, and Arneil
At the heart of this project’s success is community ownership. CFI acted as a service provider while giving autonomy and decision-making powers to the Apung Manigerekelen of the Marabal-Alulad-Chindonan-Lamud Ancestral Domain Indigenous Political Structure (AD IPS). This process gives them not only a sense of pride and authority but also the responsibility to decide for the welfare of their own community. By empowering communities, they are given the agency to lead their own sustainable development.