Caption: Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar at the laptop distribution programme at the Penal Secondary School
By Nalini Sudama
MARKING the official start of the Learning Without Limits – A Laptop for Every Child programme, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar urged students to “use these tools with purpose.”
She said, “This is your window to do well,” stressing, “use it well.”
Persad-Bissessar was speaking at the laptop distribution programme on Thursday at the Penal Secondary School on Thursday.
Speaking in her home constituency of Siparia, she recalled her personal experiences while growing up, noting education as a pathway to opportunity.
A total of 168 laptops were distributed to form one students with charging-port bags and digital learning platforms that forms part of the new Information and Communication Technology (ICT) integrated curriculum.
Persad Bissessar said the relaunch of the laptop initiative represents her long-standing goal to guarantee that no child is left behind in the digital age.
She noted that schools will also receive Wi-Fi upgrades, accessible devices for students with disabilities and teachers will receive AI-assistance training.
The Ministry of Education is partnering with the Ministry of Public Utilities, Ministry of Public Administration and Artificial Intelligence, TSTT, TTPost, ICT technicians and schools to coordinate the programme.
@azpnews.com Children interacting with AI at first laptop distribution at Penal Secondary School. Video: Nalini Sudama @penalsecondaryslm @moedutt #penalsecondaryschool #laptopdistribution #ailaptop #aiinteraction #studentlaptops
She reminded that her administration from 2010 to 2015 implemented “one of the region’s most advanced ICT-in-education programmes” which included:
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95,000 laptops to students and 4,000 to teachers.
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Creation of ICT labs nationwide.
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Creation of Smart Classrooms.
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Training of teachers.
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Deployment of 150 ICT technicians.
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Establishment of the e-Connect and Learn platform.
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Recognition as the OAS Regional Centre for Virtual Education.
She highlighted the struggles faced by students and teachers during the pandemic after the former government allegedly “dismantled” the laptop programme.
Emphasising that the laptops are not toys she said, “Our children are our future. I believe the young ones in my country, in your country and you have to lead the way. You, young ones, use this laptop well.”
The launch came one day after Minister of Education Michael Dowlath confirmed the first distributions of laptops during the House of Representatives on Wednesday.
According to Minister of Education Dr Michael Dowlath, the delivery of laptops will be conducted in three phases.
The first batch of 2,500 was received on Tuesday with the second batch of 8,500 expected on December 3 and a third batch of 7,000 on December 23.
