MAASIN CITY, Philippines (July 2026) — Many Pinoy students in the most isolated parts of Southern Leyte are finally getting the digital tools they need to keep up with the modern world. This comes as part of a mission to bring high-tech learning to “last-mile” schools that often lack basic resources.
Bringing the classroom to the mountains
The initiative involves the deployment of “School-in-a-Bag” (SIAB) kits, which are essentially portable digital classrooms. This recent turnover, supported by UNICEF in collaboration with PLDT Inc., Smart Communications, the Department of Education Region 8, and the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), marks the fourth and largest rollout for the global agency.
The project targets 97 multigrade schools in hard-to-reach areas across the province. These are schools where one teacher often handles multiple grade levels at once, making digital aids a vital tool rather than just an extra gadget.
Jieun Yoon, an education specialist from UNICEF Philippines, noted that the goal is to give every child equal access to quality education, especially in marginalized communities. She explained that these devices are meant to help ease the workload for teachers while making the learning experience better for students.
What is inside the bag?
Each water-resistant backpack contains a laptop, a Smart Bro LTE Pocket WiFi with load, and 10 tablets. It also includes a teacher’s guide and digital learning resources like #LearnSmart apps designed to teach literacy and math in the local Mother Tongue.
One of the beneficiaries is Benit Elementary School in Malitbog, located about 38 kilometers from Maasin City. Teacher-in-charge Merry Ann B. Tagon expressed gratitude for the kit, noting that it works even without an internet connection. This allows lessons to continue without interruption in areas where connectivity is spotty.
Since 2019, the partnership has delivered more than 300 of these kits to schools across the country. The project is part of a broader effort to bridge the digital divide and ensure no student is left behind just because of their location.
