Computer Lab At Refuge Temple Learning Academy Officially Opened

The Computer Lab at the Refuge Temple Learning Academy was officially opened by Minister of Science, Technology, Energy and Mining, Hon. Phillip Paulwell on July 10.

The facility was established through the Universal Service Fund at a cost of $4.4 million.

Boasting 26 state-of-the-art computers, the computer lab will serve the student population of over 50 students, as well as the wider community.

Addressing participants, at the opening ceremony held at the church’s location in Myersville, St. Elizabeth, Mr. Paulwell said the opening of the new computer facility represents the 219^th such computer access point now open across Jamaica.

“This in itself is a tremendous achievement which started in 2005 and so far, we have spent approximately $700 million,” he said.

Since the establishment of the Universal Service Fund (USF), some $13 billion has been collected, enabling the Government to fund broadband services islandwide. The money is generated from a levy on inbound international calls.

Mr. Paulwell also informed that the citizens who use the facility will be provided with free Internet access at the location.

Meanwhile, the Technology Minister stated that he was pleased with the way Jamaicans have used technology to enhance their lives.

“We believe that in this field of information and communications technology, Jamaicans are well placed and are well suited as we learn very quickly.  At the pre-primary and primary levels in our schools, we are seeing remarkable improvement almost overnight in reading skills, improvements in attendance, especially among the boys,” Minister Paulwell informed.

He also encouraged the students, members of the church and the wider community to care for the computers and to use them to claim their rightful places in the computer technology landscape.