In a bid to contribute in integrating ICT in education initiatives of the government towards strengthening classroom learning and instruction by expanding access to various sources of information, the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT) and the Tarlac College of Agriculture entered into a partnership via a Memorandum of Agreement for “Internet Connection” of public high schools which is a project component of the iSchools Project.

 As stipulated in the MOA signed by Mr. Ray Anthony Roxas-Chua III, CICT Chairman and Dr. Philip B. Ibarra, College President; the College is then to facilitate the Internet Connection of twenty-three (23) public high schools (PHS) which were recipient of the iSchools Project’s phases 1 & 2 in Tarlac and Pangasinan including two of said project’s pilot schools.

Said public high schools include: Benigno Aquino National High School (Concepcion, Tarlac); Capas High School (Capas, Tarlac); Eduardo Cojuangco Vocational High School (Paniqui, Tarlac); Nambalan High School (Sta. Ignacia, Tarlac); Ramos High School (Ramos, Tarlac); San Pedro High School (Moncada, Tarlac); Tarlac National High School – Central Azucarera de Tarlac (Tarlac City); Bantog National High School (Asingan, Pangasinan); Bayambang National High School (Bayambang, Pangasinan); Binabalian National High School (Bolinao, Pangasinan); Dagupan City National High School (Dagupan City, Pangasinan); Daniel Maramba High School (Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan); Don Juan C. Macaraeg National High School (Binalonan, Pangasinan); Juan C. Laya National High School (San Manuel, Pangasinan); Labrador High School (Labrador, Pangasinan); Mangatarem National High School (Mangatarem, Pangasinan); Pangasinan National High School (Lingayen, Pangasinan); Pangasinan School of Arts and Trade (Lingayen, Pangasinan); Rosales National High School (Rosales, Pangasinan); Alcala Rural School (Alcala, Pangasinan) and the pilot schools, Arboleda National High School (Alcala, Pangasinan); Tarki Suliman High School (Masantol, Pampanga) and Sindalan National High School (San Fernando, Pampanga).

        Mikaella F. Darum, a fourth year high school student of the TCA Laboratory School and editor-in –chief of The Tillers (LHS student publication),bagged the 5^th place in essay writing contest in the recently concluded Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC) National Cultural-Literary Competition held at the Philippine Normal University last September 16 – 18.

          The PASUC National Cultural-Literary Competition held only once every two years was participated in by 13 regions. Darum represented Region III being the Regional Champion in the essay writing category in the CIRPS-Region III Literary Cultural Fest held in RMTU last March 2008. She bested college students from 12 other state universities and colleges in Central Luzon.

          In the national competition, the contenders were given two hours to write their thoughts on the students’ roles in building a better world. The topic is in line with this year’s theme, PASUC: Orchestrating the Students’ Cultural Talent for a Better World. The judges were impressed as Darum intricately reasoned that the youth should build a new integrity; that they should defend Rizal’s famous quote: “Ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan”; and that they are the next foundation of the world.

          Darum was trained by her coach Mrs. Christine N. Ferrer.