Computer whiz from primary school - Government moving to introduce E-learning to toddlers

Government is now looking at moving the E-Learning project to primary schools. The seven-year old project now targets secondary schools and teachers' colleges and provides them with broadband access to the Internet, audio visual equipment, and other information and communications technology aids.

Already the E-Learning project has resulted in computer labs being established in more than 200 secondary schools.

Now minister of state in the Ministry of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining Julian Robinson says the Government is at the stage of moving this to the primary level.

However, the process is still being worked out, Robinson says.

"What we have to work out is the modality through which we will provide that technology," Robinson declared last week.

"It may not necessarily be a computer lab in every primary school, because it is an expensive undertaking ... and with the best will in the world, if you have a computer lab with 30 computers and 1,000 students, that interaction that every student is going to have is going to be limited.

"So we are examining different technologies and we are looking at ... how we can use the technology to ensure that, from ages four and five, every Jamaican has access to the technology," added Robinson.

Institution to benefit

The junior minister was speaking at the Rousseau Primary School in East Central St Andrew which became the latest institution to benefit from the GraceKennedy Money Service I-Pledge programme.

The school's new computer lab, established by I-Pledge in association with the Western Union Foundation and the non-governmental entity PACT, was officially opened last Thursday.

In handing over the lab, chief operating officer of GraceKennedy Money Services Michelle Allen indicated that Rousseau is one of 13 primary schools to be outfitted this year with computer labs through I-Pledge.

"The lives of more than 4,000 students will be positively impacted by the computers installed this year," said Allen as she noted that 14 schools were given computer labs last year and a total of 45 schools computerised since the programme was launched in 2009.

"The world is changing faster than we can understand, and classrooms need to keep up with that pace. GraceKennedy Money Services and Western Union are aware of just how much it takes cash to care and so, this year alone, we have contributed over $10 million to the computerisation programme," added Allen.

In welcoming the donation, Robinson declared the Govern-ment's commitment to introducing computers in schools.

"This fits right in and is consistent with the Government's vision for information technology," said Robinson.

'So we are examining different technologies and we are looking at ... how we can use the technology to ensure that, from ages four and five, every Jamaican has access to the technology.'