Samar teachers get “e-TURO” to make learning more accessible

Teachers in Samar are gaining new tools to make learning more accessible as the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) brings its e-TURO digital learning system closer to schools in Eastern Visayas.

On October 5, 2026, in celebration of World Teachers’ Day, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Eastern Visayas officially turned over educational equipment, including 30 Chromebooks and a television, to Guinsorongan Elementary School through the e-TURO initiative.

e-TURO system, or Enhancing Teachers’ Unimpeded Rational Objectives, is an AI-enhanced digital learning system that integrates a learning management system (LMS), digital content library, and AI-powered content creation tools.

It helps teachers automate routine tasks, plan lessons, create curriculum-aligned content and assessments, and track student progress so that they can focus on effective, intentional teaching.

By centralizing resources and reducing manual tasks, e-TURO enables educators to deliver quality instructional materials and respond more effectively to individual student needs.

In a message delivered by Dr. Carmela Tamayo, schools division superintendent of the Department of Education (DepEd)–Catbalogan City, she expressed her appreciation to DOST for providing innovative learning opportunities and resources that help teachers strengthen science education and enhance learners’ digital competencies.

She believes that technology should not become another barrier to learning. Rather, it should help overcome barriers and create more opportunities for every learner and every teacher.

“This partnership demonstrates what we can achieve when government agencies work together toward one common goal: providing our learners with better opportunities to learn and our teachers with better tools to teach,” said Dr. Tamayo.

Closing STEM learning gaps through technology, access, and collective action

Meanwhile, DOST-Eastern Visayas Regional Director John Glenn D. Ocaña noted that national and international assessments continue to show learning gaps in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) across basic education. Eastern Visayas is no exception, with declining proficiency in foundational science and mathematics reflecting challenges that extend beyond assessment scores alone.

He sees these learning gaps as missed opportunities for the youth and a critical threat to the Eastern Visayas’ future socioeconomic growth, where its future scientists, engineers, data analysts, and technology innovators are sitting in elementary classrooms right now.

“If we do not address these learning gaps today, we risk leaving an entire generation behind in an increasingly digital and technology-driven global economy. Reversing this decline in STEM learning is an urgent opportunity that requires immediate and collective action,” said Dr. Ocaña.

Dr. Ocaña underscored that this is precisely why the turnover of the e-TURO digital learning system is so vital. He said that it is more than just hardware; e-TURO is an innovative solution designed to transform and democratize STEM education through rich and interactive digital modules, curriculum-aligned content, and robust offline capabilities.

He added that it addresses persistent challenges such as poor internet connectivity and limited learning resources by bringing dynamic, hands-on STEM learning directly to teachers and students.

e-TURO provides teachers with additional digital tools to enhance classroom instruction while expanding students’ access to learning resources, especially in communities with limited or no internet connectivity. (Photo by Patrick James Lee C. Alfonso, DOST-STII)

The e-TURO is one of the initiatives of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) aimed at providing science-based, innovative, and inclusive solutions across four strategic pillars: human well-being, wealth creation, wealth protection, and sustainability. These pillars embody the mantra OneDOST4U: Solutions and Opportunities for All. For more information, visit www.dost.gov.ph. (By Allan Mauro V. Marfal, DOST-STII)

“To our educators and school leaders at Guinsorongan Elementary School and across Samar Province, this technology is designed to empower you,” Dr. Ocaña said.