Education Ministry to use Technology to Reach Students in Remote Areas

Education Minister, Rev. the Hon. Ronald Thwaites, has said that within the next few months, his Ministry will be rolling out a pilot plan, to use computer technology to offer teaching instructions in the areas of mathematics and literacy to students in remote areas of Jamaica.

He stated that Jamaica is blessed to have a quality technological platform to facilitate the move.

"The plan is… to provide the very best pedagogy, the most replete instruction in social affairs to our students in the most remote areas in Jamaica, in areas of weakness in mathematics and literacy. This is going to open a whole new vista of education for our people, a virtual epiphany of new opportunity," the Education Minister said.

He was speaking at the launch of the 'The Flow in My School Technology Competition' on Wednesday (Oct. 3) at the Wyndham Hotel in New Kingston.

The competition, organised by telecommunication company Flow, in collaboration with Hewlett Packard (HP), Microsoft, and Jamaica Observer, is open to primary and secondary schools islandwide, with the winning institution to receive an upgraded computer laboratory.

The Education Minister commended the companies for their investment in education, noting that a "technologically savvy, well equipped, better educated, socially adept workforce" is going to yield better customers, very good users of their services and more satisfactory employees.

The 'Flow In My School Technology Competition' seeks to highlight excellence and best practices in the use of technology in schools across the island.

Schools are required to submit entries to showcase how they use technology to enhance the teaching and learning environments, as well as how they are celebrating the 50th anniversary of independence. Eligible institutions must register online by October 12. 

"Schools are going to compete for the grand prize, which includes eight all-in-one HP computers, electronic whiteboards as well as individual electronic prizes for the teacher as well as the participating student," informed President and Chief Operating Officer of Flow, Michelle English.

"There is quite a lot on the line, so I am looking forward to seeing some very interesting submissions from the various schools," she said.

She further informed that special programmes will be designed for the semifinalists and winning entry "that we are going to be putting up on Flow TV and share with Flow viewers across the island."