Hundreds Of Millions Budgeted For Schools’ Connectivity

Millions budgeted for education system: Since the start of the pandemic, the education system has been in transition from the traditional classroom approach to online teaching and learning at all levels.

The Ministry of Education last year launched its one tablet or laptop per child initiative to provide students with the requisite tools to function in this new environment.

For the fiscal year 2020/21 that just ended, the Ministry spent approximately $2 billion dollars on devices and connectivity to allow students access to education in the virtual space. 

The budget for further distribution of devices and connectivity for the fiscal year 2021/22 is $754.7 million.

Minister of Education, Fayval Williams disclosed these and other education-related matters in Parliament earlier today during her contribution to the 2021/22 sectoral debate on Wednesday. 

Once face-to-face classes resume, the Ministry plans on launching a Government-sponsored extra-lesson classes programme to provide more teaching and learning opportunities especially for children who are in economically disadvantaged homes.

Meanwhile, the Ministry will be modifying the curriculum in schools to include character education.