First smart classroom launched in Philippines

The smart classroom launched on June 4, 2024, is equipped with a seamless internet connection that allows students to access ebooks and other multimedia content.

This means students can also have virtual classes and opportunities.

The project was undertaken by Edgepoint Philippines, an independent cellular tower infrastructure company that collaborated with Habitat for Humanity PH.

It is very important because we believe in levelling up and digital equity. In countries where we are operating, we typically see that there are rural poor areas where there's a lack of meaningful connectivity, we think the right to digital access for children for educational purposes and also the greater economy is something we should be delivering to everybody in the country," Edgepoint Chief Executive Officer William Walters told Manilla Times.

According to him, the project is one of several others expected to be completed by 2025.

"We do a lot of work around the globe, and together with them we shortlisted a few areas, this just happens to be the first of many. We expect to complete a second one this year and we expect to do between two and four again in 2025," he said.

The project aims at empowering Filippino students with digital skills to enhance digital equity.

"A lot of kids when they grow up nowadays will be involved in some digital form or the other, and I think that the more we can empower children with digital skills, especially from less privileged areas, it opens a lot of doors for them in the future. Usually, when you give these things to children, they get enthused. I think that if it encourages even just one more child to gain something more or probably learn online, a skill they learn on a computer, even one child gain some knowledge, some happiness, I'm happy already," Walters said.