Just over 160 computers have been donated to 13 primary and high schools in St. James to facilitate needy students to access online learning. The 138 tablets and 25 laptops were given through a partnership between the Atlanta-Montego Bay Sister Cities Committee and the Victoria House Foundation, in collaboration with the Adelphi Community Development Council (CDC).
The computers donated were presented on Friday, October 8, to representatives of the beneficiary schools during a ceremony at the Holiday Inn Resort and Spa in St. James.
Tourism Minister, Edmund Bartlett who was also in attendance, praised the Committee and Foundation for their gesture, noting that the donations will be tools that assist in developing the nation’s human capital and reshaping Jamaica to become competitive in this new world [of technology.
Mr. Bartlett urged the schools and students to use the devices to enhance the knowledge of our children and make our country a powerful nation.
Atlanta-Montego Bay Sister Cities Committee Chair, Dr. Yvonne Smith, says virtual classes are greatly needed more than ever, based on the constraint of face-to-face learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She noted that the children in St. James who will benefit from the devices have already been identified at the schools, based on the need.
Dr. Smith encouraged the schools to distribute the devices on a “loan basis” which will be allowed to use the laptops and tablets for a full academic year before returning them. Smith noted that the students will return the devices at the end of the school year and the schools will decide who needs them the following year.
Dr. Smith said this method is to instill a sense of accountability and responsibility in the children, “because when they know that they have to return these devices at the end of the year, they are going to be more careful in how they handle and use them.” she noted.
