Black River Primary Gets State-of-the-Art Smart Room

Black River Primary and Infant School in St. Elizabeth is the latest recipient of a state-of-the-art Digicel Smart Room.

The school is the 20th institution on the island to receive the infrastructure from Digicel.

At the handover ceremony on March 27, Senior Education Officer in the Ministry of Education, Youth, Skills and Information – Region Five, Nevadeene Gallimore-Miller, said that the new smart lab represents an “investment of hope”, especially after the passage of Hurricane Beryl, which affected the island last year and damaged the school.

“Black River Primary was one of the schools impacted by Hurricane Beryl, so I’m sure having all these things happening at the institution is something that we can continue to give thanks for. This space is a gateway to new possibilities for students to explore, create, and learn in ways that were previously unimaginable,” Mrs. Gallimore-Miller said.

She added that the smart lab will help to advance the Education Ministry’s mandate to ensure that every child has access to quality education, regardless of their background or circumstances.

“This smart lab will benefit our students in countless ways. It will enhance their learning experiences, foster critical-thinking skills, and prepare them for the demands of the 21st century. It will level the playing field, ensuring that all our students, regardless of where they live, have access to the resources that are so needed for them to succeed,” she said.

Mrs. Gallimore-Miller also underscored the importance of partnerships in achieving educational equity, as government initiatives alone are not enough.

“It takes the collective effort of businesses, community organisations and individuals to truly make a difference, and the Digicel Foundation’s partnership is a shining example of how such a collaboration can lead to positive outcomes,” she emphasised.

For her part, Chairman of the Digicel Foundation, Joy Clarke, said that the organisation continues its mission to enhance learning through digital access.

“We have spent over US$2.5 million in this parish alone in projects across our three portfolios. By establishing these smart labs, the Digicel Foundation is reinforcing its commitments to bridging the digital divide and ensuring that primary-school students across Jamaica have access to the tools they need to succeed in an increasingly tech-driven world. Technology is a necessity,” Mrs. Clarke argued.

“The way we learn, communicate and solve problems is constantly evolving and it is critical that our children are equipped with the skills to thrive in this digital age, and this is why we must encourage our students to explore the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics) field,” she added.

Mrs. Clarke emphasised that the future will be shaped by those who can code, design, innovate and think critically, and Jamaican students should be a part of it.

Principal of the school, Sharon Whyte, in thanking the Digicel Foundation, said the smart lab represents “our commitment to continue providing a cutting-edge learning environment, fostering creativity in the school’s children and nurturing the next generation of leaders and change makers”.

“I extend my sincerest gratitude to Digicel Foundation for their generous support and contribution to this project. They not only retrofitted our lab but have also repaved our quadrangle. We use the area around the quadrangle for our corporate devotion and the functions of the school,” she said.