As the COVID-19 pandemic compels teachers to become more innovative to ensure continuous education amid its many complex challenges, many are finding themselves slowly adapting to the sudden changes.

Thousands of teachers found themselves suddenly faced with what is now called “blended and distance learning” as classes resumed recently. To aid them in addressing these challenges digital services provider PLDT Inc. (PLDT) updated its Gabay Guro app.

The Gabay Guro app hopes to help teachers with the integration of e-learning content and interactive resources.

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The Gabay Guro App represents the digital innovation pillar of Gabay Guro, the flagship education program of PLDT’s social outreach arm, the PLDT-Smart Foundation (PSF). Available on all Android, iOS, and web devices, it provides teachers with a vast library of digital resources and ready-to-use online platforms that are aligned with the Department of Education (DepEd) and Commission on Higher Education (CHED) curriculum.

Digitally adept teachers

The app has reached over 100,000 downloads on its launch day, the weekend before school year 2020-2021 officially began for public schools nationwide.

“Our Gabay Guro App aims to cultivate a community of digitally adept teachers and students,” said Chaye Cabal-Revilla, chair, Gabay Guro.

Through a partnership between Gabay Guro and PLDT’s mobile money and payment services affiliate PayMaya, teachers can also soon use the app to easily sign up for an online account. This can be used for various digital financial transactions such as paying for online and in-store purchases, sending money, paying bills, buying load, and paying government fees, among others.

Users can also receive cash assistance, incentives, and loans designed for educators and even get additional livelihood opportunities in the e-commerce space through the PayMaya feature. The Gabay Guro App will also offer badges that can be converted into MVP Rewards.

Gabay Guro

Gabay Guro is a 13-year-old program that has been empowering teachers across the Philippines through its seven key pillars, including scholarships, teachers’ training, classroom donations, livelihood programs, connectivity and computerization, teachers’ tribute and digital innovations.

Cabal-Revilla describe Gabay Guro’s multiplier effect.

“Make one teacher feels good about himself and will rebound to hundreds of his students. It’s paying it forward, but a hundred times more effective and powerful,” she said.

There were over 400,000 teachers who viewed Gabay Guro’s first-ever virtual Grand Gathering live Oct. 3.

Smart, along with its parent company PLDT, recognizes quality education as a foundation in improving people’s lives and obtaining sustainable development. True to the company’s commitment to helping the Philippines attain the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals, with SDG #4: Quality Education as a key area, education continues to be the flagship CSR program throughout the PLDT Group, with a strong emphasis on digital literacy.