In its aim to enhance and develop further the skills of the students and teachers in information technology, Bigfoot Asia Pacific Foundation, Inc. entered into a Memorandum of Agreement with the Department of Education yesterday morning.

Bigfoot released a P3 million grant for Cebu's public schools, wherein P1.5 million will go to DepEd Cebu City to provide more training machines like computers to its existing training center and the rest to the province to establish core training facilities at its soon-to-be constructed training center in the vacated provincial jail.

Machines, servers, software and other IT equipment worth the said amount will be given to the teacher training facilities in Cebu City and another set in the province that will be open by summer as Bigfoot promised to buy all needed equipment before the month ends.

Bigfoot chairman and president Joseph Mercado eyed the need to further IT education among children after knowing that a lot of them have no knowledge and experience in computers.

"The disadvantage is profound when they try to look for jobs and the chances for employment is obscure when they know nothing about computers. Education that helps tap the new technologies will open options for citizens so they will fear less for their future," Mercado said.

Mercado's assumption was also agreed by Cebu Provincial Schools Superintendent Recaredo Borgonia who said that 90 percent of the students in the Cebu province are not yet experienced with computers.

Cebu City Schools Superintendent Leonilo Oliva also thanked Bigfoot for their support in the computerization program in the city.

Bigfoot IT programs have helped schools in Cebu City especially those in the far-flung areas where kids are introduced to technologies such as computers. Liv G. Ocampo and Jasmin R.Uy