DAMMAM, 22 December 2002 — Pupils at the Philippine School in Dammam (PSD) will soon undergo hands-on training on the use of computers, thanks to the Filipino Computer Society (FCS).

The FCS provided 10 computer sets for free use of the PSD students during school hours. The objective is to educate schoolchildren in the proper use of the Internet to gain more knowledge by researching through the websites in relation to their subjects and not just by surfing games and other kid sites.

Jose Gie Sinaon, FCS president, said that his group also plans to offer short computer courses in PSD for parents and teachers and to other community groups in Dammam.

To carry out the project, the FCS helped formed the PSD Computer Society.

School Principal Lita Rulloda expressed her appreciation for the help being given out by the FCS.

School board chairman Romeo Novelles also said that project is a much-needed if their students are to keep pace with the fast-changing information technologies.

The PSD computer program coincides with the launching of the second phase of the Megabyte 2 project jointly promoted by the FCS in the Eastern Province and the POLO-OWWA Eastern Region Operations.

OFWs throughout the Kingdom are preparing for the upcoming first Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Convention to be held in Alkhobar in February.

New computer groups and chapters have been formed in Riyadh, Jeddah, as well as in Dammam to help train members of the Filipino community in the computer literacy movement.

During the launching of the project at PSD, Assistant Labor Attaché Jalilo dela Torre asked the students to participate in the upcoming ICT convention, in which Filipino students throughout the Kingdom will compete in a website design contest, and “Game-KNB” format of questions only related to ICT.

Dela Torre also inducted the officers of the PSD Computer Society.

The officers for the parent-teacher sector are Agnes Eledia, president; Antonette Briones, vice president; Arceli Casenas, secretary; Imelda Manalang, assistant secretary; Mae Salvador, treasurer; Petronila Sayud, assistant treasurer; Crisanta Guiwo, auditor; Madel Edora, assistant auditor; Tony Almeida, Theresa Castro and Jason Casenas, P.R.O., and Ramon Sawit, adviser.

In the student sector, the officers are Emarc Perri D. Magtanong, president; Kristina Mae S. Manalaotao, vice president; Ramon Jeriel S. Sawit, secretary; Mabelle C. Hugo, treasurer; Iris M. Paulino, auditor; and Ryan Kristofer I. Arana, public relations officer.