- Ericsson launches Phase 2 of ‘Connect to Learn: Teaching with Technology’ in the Philippines to boost digital literacy among educators
- Program expands ICT training to more public high-school teachers and trainees in Muntinlupa, benefiting 80,000+ students
- Partnership with Qualcomm, Smart Communications, DepEd & PNU leverages VR, e-learning, and connectivity to enhance teaching outcomes
Ericsson has introduced the second phase of its Connect to Learn: Teaching with Technology initiative in the Philippines, as it reaffirms its vision to create digital literacy among educators and complement the country's overall socio-economic transformation program. Initially launched in 2022, the program that evolved in partnership with Qualcomm, Smart Communications, Muntinlupa City's Department of Education (DepEd), and the Philippine Normal University (PNU) has already equipped more than 1,700 trainee and certified teachers with experiential ICT training.
Expanding on this groundwork, the new phase aims to extend its reach to more public high-school teachers and pre-service trainees, particularly in Muntinlupa's secondary schools, which serve over 80,000 students in total. This tactical growth reflects Ericsson's commitment to inclusion and expanding digital learning ecosystems throughout the education ecosystem.
The key driving force behind the programme is the GSMA's Future of Learning Report: Philippines (2024), which identified poor capacity building and instructor training as major barriers to proper technology uptake in classrooms. The program fills these gaps by providing flexible, self-directed learning through specially crafted e-learning modules and virtual-reality simulation platforms to enhance ICT integration competencies, promote learner-oriented instruction, and multiform pedagogical approaches.
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To provide these assets effectively, Ericsson has donated VR headsets to DepEd Muntinlupa and PNU, while Smart Communications has provided steady connectivity through pocket Wi-Fi devices, home Wi-Fi units, and prepaid load cards. This pairing of hardware, software, and connectivity assistance highlights the strength of public–private partnership.
Ericsson's Philippines country manager, Arda Cetiner, highlighted the wider ambitions of the programme: not only does it aim to improve teacher performance and learning outcomes, but it also complements the government's push for digital skills building and socio-economic resilience in the long term. As the initiative progresses, it is a strong demonstration of how technology, when applied with careful planning, can construct more flexible and future-oriented education systems.
