e-Learning Jamaica Renews Commitment to Bridge the Digital Divide

As e-Learning Jamaica Limited (e-LJAM) celebrates its 20th anniversary, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Andrew Lee, is assuring that the entity remains committed to its role of bridging the country’s digital divide.

Over the past two decades, e-LJAM has been at the vanguard of revolutionising digital education in Jamaica through the integration of technology into the learning environment. This, to ensure that students and teachers islandwide have access to modern educational tools.

Through continued innovation, collaboration and commitment, the organisation intends to continue bridging the digital divide and laying the foundation for a future where technology is a catalyst for national development.

Mr. Lee tells JIS News that e-LJAM is pleased with the results of its efforts and anticipates achieving more while contributing towards improving national learning outcomes.

“We have seen that embracing technology has been a challenge but teachers, students and parents are overcoming these challenges. The extent to which e-Learning has been able to go out into schools to engage with them has helped to really change that mindset for teachers and students,” he says.

With programmes such as the Tablets in School Project, Tablet for Teachers Programme, Own Your Own Device Programme and High School Project, the organisation is revolutionising the teaching-learning experience.

“One of e-Learning’s strong points is really outfitting computer labs across the country in all our schools. Initially, we would have focused on high schools. We will continue to provide technology to our high schools. But now, we are also turning our attention to our infant and primary schools,” Mr. Lee informs.

He says high schools across Jamaica have been equipped with more than 15,000 laptop computers over the past two years.

“In addition to that, we have been doing, in terms of outfitting with the technology, the interactive panels which [are among] our latest additions to the technology suite that we’re putting into our schools. We’ve been putting in projectors and tablets, and now we are embarking on coding and robotics,” the CEO tells JIS News.

Mr. Lee points out that having built out the technology infrastructure, “the next logical step is to have our students be able to do coding and also to be engaged with robots”.

This, he explains, “so that they can understand and participate in a more, I would say, fulfilling education in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM).”

Other e-LJAM successes include outfitting libraries islandwide with over 400 laptops, enabling communities to access technology and bridging the digital divide.

Additionally, nearly 24,000 teachers have benefited under the Own Your Device Initiative, a collaboration between e-LJAM and the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information.

Under this project, e-LJAM is responsible for promoting the integration and infusion of technology in the public education system.

Looking ahead, Mr. Lee anticipates that the entity will continue to empower Jamaicans through technology and education.

With plans in the pipeline to expand digital inclusion efforts and introduce more advanced learning tools, the agency is poised to lead Jamaica into a new era of digital learning.

Mr. Lee notes that through eLearning Jamaica, a budgetary allocation has been made for all 63 Members of Parliament to provide up to 100 devices to students in need within their constituencies.

“These investments reflect the Government’s unwavering commitment to transforming education by integrating the right educational technologies. This transformation is laying the foundation for a brighter, more innovative future for Jamaica’s students and positioning the nation as a leader in educational advancement in the Caribbean,” he tells JIS News.

The CEO says e-LJAM remains dedicated to ensuring that no Jamaican is left behind in the digital age.