Kingston High School Commended for Application of E-Learning Project

Minister of Energy with oversight for Mining and Telecommunications, Clive Mullings, has commended Kingston High School for its practical application of the e-Learning project to the learning process, including incorporating the wider community in its use.
In his address at the official handing over of a computer network system yesterday (June 12), at the Kingston High School, which was installed through the e-Learning project, Mr. Mullings said he was inspired by what he has witnessed at the school.
He toured sections of the institution where the e-Learning technology is being utilized including the computer and chemistry laboratories; a numeracy and literacy enhancement centre; and a resource technology and learning centre.
The Minister also observed a cosmetology class, under the Technical, Vocational, Educational and Training (TVET) Cosmetology Rationalization Programme and visited a mathematics class in progress that also utilized the technology.
“Many times we roll out a policy and we are caught up with the idea. It is when you see it in action that you get true inspiration, and we are truly inspired today at Kingston High School,” the Minister stated.
The project, which will be implemented in 186 learning institutions, utilizes information and communication technologies (ICT) to introduce new approaches to impart instruction, stimulate learning and consistently deliver quality education to students, while addressing some key constraints in the education system.
The projected cost of the e-Learning project is US$50 million, which is being made available through the Universal Access Fund (UAF).
The e-Learning Jamaica Company Limited (e-Ljam), an agency of the Ministry, manages the implementation of the project, with the Education Ministry providing policy guidance, standards, and quality assurance for material development and teacher training, as well as the provision of building infrastructure in schools. Dell Inc. is providing the computer systems.
Kingston High was selected as one of the first institutions to benefit under the project. Minister Mullings praised principal of the school, Charles Reid, “for seeking to incorporate telecommunications in such a way beyond the pilot subjects, (English Language, Mathematics, Information Technology, Chemistry and Biology) but harnessing everything. What struck us is that you aren’t being selfish, you are opening up the facilities to the community after school hours.”
Mr. Charles, in his remarks, said the school is “privileged to have had a very well-equipped computer lab, which will certainly enhance and enrich the teaching and learning process in the school. The facilities will be used extensively in the numeracy and literacy upgrading programme in the school and the development of students towards Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE).”
Regional Sales Manager for the Caribbean at Dell Inc., Juan Francisco Aguilar, applauded the initiative of the government to utilize technology in schools, noting that Dell is “very committed” to this project.
Dell will be installing computer systems in two to three schools per week and the process should be completed by next year. To date, Dell has installed more than 600 computers in nine schools throughout the country.
In addition, all project institutions have already received audio-visual equipment supplied by Illuminat, which delivers integrated conventional education and e-learning technology solutions to educational institutions.