PLDT and its wireless arm Smart Communications Inc. (Smart) recently backed the 2023 Brigada Eskwela Program of Casildo Nonol and Remedios Saplala Elementary School in Digos City, Davao del Sur, distributing connectivity with #LearnSmart and #PlantSmart kits to support and empower more teachers and students for the upcoming school year. 

“Supporting the education sector has long been a key priority area for PLDT and Smart, particularly in the use of technology and innovation to provide access to inclusive, quality learning. We look forward to a stronger partnership with DepEd to achieve our goal of having #NoLearnerLeftBehind,” according to Stephanie Orlino, head of Stakeholder Management at PLDT and Smart. 

The Learn Smart kits include Smart Bro LTE pocket Wi-Fi and USB flash drives with educational content such as the pandemic-tested CVIF-Dynamic Learning Program Activity Sheets and Maging Laging Handa videos. PlantSmart kits, on the other hand, contain vegetable seedlings, organic fertilizers, and loam soil, enabling the beneficiaries to jumpstart their edible gardens. 

“The internet remains vital in today's learning scene. The pocket Wi-Fi devices will aid the teachers in their day-to-day lessons, while these planting kits will augment our school’s feeding program for malnourished kids,” said teacher Maristle Tomperada. 

Brigada Eskwela Coordinator Crissan Zapatos expressed appreciation. “We thank PLDT and Smart for this generous support to our school. These will have significant impact on our student's learning and growth. The PlantSmart kits will help us revive the Gulayan sa Paaralan, which was affected by the pandemic, and it will also teach the students to appreciate farming.”

PLDT and Smart continue to seek more partners to build a strong foundation for the children, staying true to its goal of no learner being left behind and reducing hunger among children. These projects emphasize the commitment of PLDT and Smart to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG No. 2: Zero Hunger and SDG No. 3: Good Health and Well-Being.