Jamaica: Digital Divide Pushes Students Behind

Digital Divide – The new school year has started and many students have already been left behind. For twelve-year-old Lassia Edwards, her only chance to log on to online learning is through her father’s phone, but he is normally at work where his phone plays a crucial role. Timothy explains that while he would resort to the television for his daughter’s learning, there is no signal.

Further up the road, we observed twin Shayden and Jayden sitting outside under a leaking roof with their older brother Jaheem, desperately trying to stay connected to the neighbour’s wifi… Their teary eyed mother explains that the first day of online learning has been frustrating with the limited resources. She also points out that she suffers from hypertension and unable to see what’s on the cell phone.

We also visited another extended family; For the most part Sasha Smith says school is set to begin later this week or next week.

While most of the children were engaged in other activities, Shela a  student at the St. Catherine high school was logged on to her class.

She describes the experience as being a good one: