ASTEP Receives Computer Donation

The Ministry of Education’s Alternative Secondary Transitional Education Programme (ASTEP) has been boosted with the donation of computers by the Digicel Foundation.

The Foundation, on Tuesday (March 7), signed an agreement with the Ministry at the Seaview Gardens Primary School that will see 36 computers being placed in six schools island-wide. 

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Education Minister, Rev. Hon. Minister Thwaites, said the computers will help to inculcate skills within students that will set the stage for future success.

 “Being able to use the computer is necessary for all the rest of your life in your school work and in your personal enjoyment because any job you get into is going to require you to have some familiarity with information communication technology.  So take it very seriously,” he said.

The ASTEP Centre at Seaview Gardens is the first to benefit with the Foundation handing over five computers on Tuesday. 

The National Education Trust will oversee the installation of the computers in the remaining five ASTEP centres, at the Fellowship Primary and Junior High, and Rio Bueno, Darliston Bellefield and Eltham Park primary schools.

ASTEP is designed to assist students, who have completed primary school and are not certified literate at the grade four level.

By Deleen Powell