The Department of Science and Technology - Provincial Science and Technology Office (DOST-PSTO) is set to launch digital science libraries in all public schools across Davao de Oro. The initiative, announced on Tuesday, is part of DOST’s STARBOOKS (Science and Technology Academic and Research-Based Openly Operated Kiosk Station) program. It aims to provide students and educators with offline access to a wide range of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) resources, including books, journals, and videos.
Empowering Education Through Technology
STARBOOKS is designed to bring scientific and technical knowledge to areas with limited internet access. By equipping schools with offline digital libraries, the program ensures that students, even in remote locations, have access to crucial learning materials. This initiative is expected to foster greater interest in STEM subjects and inspire students to explore careers in science and technology.
DOST-Davao de Oro Director Mayan Inni emphasized the impact of the program, stating that it’s a key step in developing future researchers and innovators. “With STARBOOKS, we aim to ignite curiosity and encourage students to pursue careers in science and technology,” Inni said.
Strengthening Partnerships for Educational Progress
The project is the result of a partnership between DOST and the Department of Education (DepEd) - Davao de Oro, formalized through a memorandum of understanding signed by 393 school heads. DepEd-Davao de Oro officer in charge Phoebe Refamonte expressed her gratitude for the collaboration, noting that it marks the start of a stronger, technology-driven educational future.
The deployment of STARBOOKS is a significant move toward bridging the digital divide and ensuring that students in Davao de Oro have access to quality educational resources that will help them succeed in STEM fields and beyond.
