Schools Receive Printers and Fax Machines

KINGSTON — The Ministry of Education, in partnership with Intcomex Jamaica Limited, donated 25 Lexmark printers and three fax machines to five primary and secondary schools to better equip the institutions in time for the upcoming 2011/2012 academic year.

The office equipment has been given to Belmont Academy, in Westmoreland; and Allman Town Primary School, Balcombe Drive Primary and Junior High School, Denham Town Primary School, and Kingston High School in the Corporate Area.

Speaking at the handing over ceremony at the Ministry, in Kingston, Education Minister, Hon. Andrew Holness said the printers were a “gift of encouragement and acknowledgement” of the tremendous work the schools and principals have been able to achieve.

"Sometimes it's just the meaning of the token. I know all these principals are trying very hard in their schools, and when the Ministry, in partnership with some of our service providers, decides that they’re going to help, I’m sure they feel encouraged," he said.

The Minister also expressed gratitude to Intcomex Limited for the donation, noting that the printers would be useful to the schools and the education system, in general.

Managing Director, Intcomex, Matthew Deleon, said he was grateful to the Ministry of Education for the opportunity to contribute to the development of the education system through technology.

He noted that the items were modern ink jet colour printers, while the fax machines were multi function units, which enabled faxing, printing and scanning.

Mr. Deleon gave an undertaking that this would not be Intcomex's last contribution to the education system in Jamaica.           

Principal of Kingston High School, Corrine Richards, expressed thanks to the Ministry and Intcomex on behalf of her colleague principals, noting that the equipment will be well used.

"Often times we don't recognise that education is indeed the building block of this country, so it's not just that we got a printer, it's rather a tangible reminder that the business sector and everybody else understand that if we get education right, we’ll have a better country," she said.

Established in 1989, Intcomex is the largest distributor in Latin American and the only technology distributor in the Caribbean, with 15 offices operating in 14 countries, including Jamaica.

By Athaliah Reynolds, JIS Reporter