The Palawan leg of the iSchools Project Closeout was held last January 25-27, 2010 at the A&A Plaza Hotel. Western Philippines University hosted the three-day activity. This is the first implementation of its kind for the iSchools Project.

The Project Closeout activity marked the end of support of iSchools to the Internet Wireless Learning Laboratories (iWILLs). The Closeout sends a message that these recipient schools are now capable enough to take on greater responsibility for the upkeep of their laboratories.

The focus of the Closeout is on capturing best practices, lessons learned, as well as the challenges faced by recipient schools in operating their laboratories. It is also an opportunity to exchange brilliant ideas on how to enhance the project’s implementation, recognize the challenges that have yet to be resolved, and articulate the need to define operational guidelines.

The activities allowed participants to discuss sustainability planning. In fact, participants were encouraged to enhance their sustainability plans for proper execution.

Sustainability planning is a focal point of the iSchools Project.

“The Project has encouraged and inspired school officials to implement plans on sustaining their laboratories,” shares M&E Team Leader Leila Grace Ramos.
 
“They realize that after the final turnover of the labs to their schools, it is now their responsibility to maintain and maximize its operations.”

In one of the sessions, the participants presented their school websites. In plenary, they then shared their views on how to improve each one’s respective sites.

The most common issues raised were the availability and strength of internet connection in their laboratory as well as the defective UPS. Another challenge is the difficulty to get support from the local government that also pledged responsibility in maintaining the laboratory.

Another closeout activity will be scheduled after proper coordination with other partners to ensure the readiness of recipient schools in their areas.