NEGROS OCCIDENTAL – The Klaus Hoffarth Center for Critical Thinking (KHC) invests ₱3 million to strengthen digital literacy in Banilad Elementary School (BES).
Funded by a grant from the Hoffarth family, the project was rolled out in 2025 to equip the school with modern technological devices and infrastructure, digital and functional literacy training, and teacher capacity-building.
The initiative, “Bridging the Digital Divide: A Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Pilot Project for Digital Literacy in Philippine Elementary Education,” was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding between KHC’s Dr. Victoria Bantug Hoffarth and the Department of Education, Schools Division of Negros Occidental on March 16, 2025. This partnership marks a significant step toward bridging the gaps in digital literacy and learning outcomes in public schools.
Laying the groundwork for a technology-integrated learning environment, KHC provided 30 Samsung A9 tablets featuring e-books and educational applications, and 20 ASUS VivoBook Go14 laptops to build foundational digital skills like typing, researching, and navigating online software.
Recognizing that technology is only as powerful as the hands that guide it, 4 laptops were donated to the faculty to help them manage grading and classroom instruction, complementing the laptops provided by DepEd to other teachers.
Dr. Hoffarth also funded the library renovation to create functional learning spaces where students can nurture their love for reading. Additional upgrades included furnishing the computer rooms, installing Google TVs for classroom demonstrations, and providing 28 headsets to enable students to engage with multimedia materials from Khan Academy.
Beyond hardware and infrastructure, the project included one-on-one reading comprehension tutorial classes for non-readers and digital literacy classes for readers in Grades 3 and 4. BES students now have access to a wider selection of children’s books in their library, with KHC donating more than 200 children’s books through a book drive.
While still in its early stages, the impact of the initiative is already felt by educators and students:
“The progress of my learners from Day 1 to the present is clear. From turning on the computer, creating their first Word document, typing essays, to shutting down their laptops—I’ve seen it all,” shared Teacher Francis Buenaflor Jr. “I saw the sparkle in their eyes when they successfully saved their work…Some clapped their hands, some shouted, ‘I did it!’”
The students’ enthusiasm was also palpable. “Ako po ay masaya dahil sa aking natutunan ngayong bakasyon. Unti-unti natutong magbasa at mag-unawa ng aking binabasa (I am happy because of what I learned during vacation… Little by little, I learned how to read and understand what I’m reading),” shared a Grade 4 pupil.
“Masaya ako na makahiram ng aklat sa library. Marami na akong nahiram na aklat sa library at marami akong natutunang mga pangyayari at kasaysayan (I feel happy that I can borrow books from the library. I have learned a lot about events and history),” another student expressed.
Looking ahead
KHC, BES, and DepEd will monitor the progress of students over a three-year period to assess the impact of these interventions.
“Functional and digital literacy are vital skills that need to be nurtured early on. We are thrilled that KHC is helping bridge the gap by providing the devices and funding for tutorial sessions for learners. Ultimately, we hope the success of this initiative serves as a blueprint, encouraging more private institutions to follow suit and uplift other public elementary schools,” says Mian Arcega, KHC’s project monitor for this initiative.
Upon completion, a final paper will document the project outcomes and provide a scalable PPP model for other public schools, better equipping learners and educators with competencies to thrive in the digital age.
KHC believes that strengthening digital and functional literacy is vital for critical thinking, empowering students to analyze information and make informed judgments. By creating a conducive learning environment, KHC hopes to nurture a generation of critical thinkers and participative citizens committed to national development.
