Iloilo school revamp tackles classroom shortage, boosts digital skills

Insider Spotlight

• More than 200 volunteers transformed R.G. Hechanova Memorial National High School
• 14 classrooms, 7 hallways, 4 staircases repainted and refurbished
• 40 chairs and new changing rooms improved student learning spaces
• Digital literacy session empowered students to navigate AI and social media safely
  
  

With public schools across the Philippines still facing a classroom shortage, more than 230 TELUS Digital Philippines volunteers converged at R.G. Hechanova Memorial National High School in Iloilo to give students safer, brighter, and more tech-savvy learning environments.

Founded in 1984, the high school’s aging facilities had made it difficult for students to focus. By repainting 14 classrooms, seven hallways and four staircases, refurbishing 40 chairs, and building separate male and female changing rooms, volunteers not only upgraded infrastructure but also signaled to students that their education matters.

Digital literacy boost

Alongside physical improvements, TELUS Digital volunteers ran a TELUS Wise® session for 30 students, tackling topics like responsible social media use and safe navigation of AI-powered platforms.  

“We want students to be confident, responsible, and safe digital citizens,” said Anne Muñoz, country vice president of TELUS Digital Philippines.

“The efforts to rebuild our facilities, renovate both the Senior and Junior High School buildings, and brighten our surroundings, has truly made a lasting impact on our school and on us, the students,” said Lorraine, student government president. “They didn’t just build walls; they helped build hope.”

The bigger picture

Since 2014, TELUS Digital Philippines has contributed more than 100,000 volunteer hours to Brigada Eskwela initiatives.  Earlier this year, it revitalized two Metro Manila schools, benefitting over 7,800 students. 

Rajiv M. Dhand, regional vice president for Asia-Pacific and Africa, said: “When we invest in their learning environments, we're really investing in their dreams… we transform lives, and that impact ripples through communities for generations to come.” —Ed: Vanessa Hidalgo