NWC Praised For Donating 140 Tablets to Jamaican Schools

Several schools are praising the National Water Commission (NWC) after receiving devices from the Commission through its Tablets For Learning Initiative.

Through the initiative, the Commission donated 140 tablets to schools across Jamaica. Eleven schools from 11 parishes received 10 tablets each while six schools from three parishes received five tablets each. In addition, the NWC donated 70 SIM cards that were provided free of cost by Digicel Jamaica.

The schools that benefited from the donations are Iris Gelley Primary, King Weston Primary, Robert Lightbourne High, Mineral Heights Primary, Crescent Primary, Horace Clarke High, Oracabessa Primary, Ferncourt High, Priory Primary and Junior High, Buff Bay Primary, Draper’s All-Age, Cambridge High, Troy High, Porus High, Pondside Primary, George’s Plain Primary and Middlesex Corner Primary.

Claude Rowe, the principal of the Iris Gelley Primary School in St Andrew, expressed sincere gratitude to the NWC after receiving 10 devices for his school in September.

“I’m excited,” said Mr Rowe, noting that some of his students had difficulty accessing devices for online schooling. “These 10 gadgets will change the lives of 10 of our students.”

Aware of the teaching and learning challenges being experienced at schools across Jamaica, NWC President Mark Barnett said that the commission was moved to make the donations.

“NWC is not awash with cash. Notwithstanding, we believe this is part of demonstrating our fulsome support of the community and how we ensure that community upliftment is achieved through education,” he said during the NWC’s Quarterly Press Briefing recently.

This commitment to nation-building was also acknowledged by Harry Hanson, the principal of Cambridge High in St James, as he thanked the NWC for the devices.

“Your (NWC) donation is an investment in the future of Jamaica, and we are happy that you chose to partner with us. The difference you have made by your generosity will reverberate throughout the passage of time,” Hanson said.

“On behalf of the Board of Governors, staff and students of Cambridge High School, I extend our gratitude to you for your tremendous donation of tablets to our students. This gesture was very timely as several parents were reaching out stating that they lacked devices.”

Similar appreciation was expressed by Calvin Walters, the principal at King Weston Primary in St Andrew. He said that the NWC’s “contribution at this time will truly assist us in providing tablets to some of our very needy students who are having serious challenges in getting online and being involved in the teaching and learning process.”

He added: “These 10 particular tablets with phone chip feature will allow the parents of these children to add data credit thus not relying solely on WiFi services.”

Walters said that the NWC’s contribution is particularly significant based on the various challenges being experienced in Jamaica and the world as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The NWC’s Tablets For Learning Initiative is a demonstration of the Commission’s commitment to contributing to the socio-economic improvement of the Jamaican society.