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U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenney surfs the internet with a student at Maimbung National High School (NHS) on the island of Sulu. USAID's Computer Literacy and Internet Connection (CLIC) Program has provide up to ten internet-connected computers with software and equipment to more than 300 schools throughout the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) (August 2006).
Working with PTCAs and school administrators, GEM's Computer Literacy and Internet Connection (CLIC) Program provides selected schools with satellite or microwave-based Internet connections, up to ten computers, local area network, printer, relevant software, range of computer reference materials, and training for teachers. Utilizing computers and network connections provided through the CLIC Program, students establish email accounts, communicate with other students throughout the world, utilize the vast resources of the Internet to conduct research on various academic topics while teachers enhance the students learning experience by spicing up their lessons with additional inputs from the Internet.
To date, CLIC has introduced computer and internet instruction to 134 high schools and junior high schools in the conflict-affected areas of Mindanao, benefiting more than 150,000 students and approximately 5,000 teachers. At a minimum, an additional 100 schools in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and adjacent conflict-affected areas of Mindanao (CAAM) will be connected for each of the next two years. By the end of the three year period, CLIC will have provided computers and internet connections to at least 300, or about 40% of the approximately 700 high schools and junior high schools in the target area
CLIC is being implemented in partnership with several organizations. These include, the Microsoft Corporation, the Intel Corporation, STI Education Services Group (a computer training organization), and the Ayala Foundation, Inc. (AFI). To date, the value of the partnership contributions exceeds $1,000,000, and have enabled the program to serve more students, and more schools, at lesser cost than would have been possible prior to such efforts. Partnerships have also been established with the Governments of Australia and Japan, with the ARMM and national Departments of Education, and of course, with the individual schools and PTCAs participating in the program.