Microsoft Educator Network - Hot Topics : Leadership and Strategic Innovation : Enhancing ICT tools in Jamaican schools

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The Jamaican Government has started to roll out an ambitious multi-million-dollar project designed to place high-speed Internet in schools, post offices and public libraries across the island within 18 months. "Any community, however remote, which has a public secondary or high school will be provided with facilities for Internet access," Daryl Vaz, the minister with responsibility for technology, announced yesterday. "This project is anticipated to facilitate modern services such as videoconferencing and more efficient use of our teaching resources through the establishment of virtual classrooms. "These resources will allow students to access stored subject matter lessons and to take online practice tests and examinations," Vaz added at the contract signing. Under the five-year project, financed by the Universal Access Fund, two telecommunications providers, LIME and Flow, will be paid a total of $543 million over five years to roll out the Internet service at 283 institutions islandwide initially. – The Gleaner, Jamaican Schools To Go High-Tech, April 7, 2011.

Jamaican schools have realized the power of technology and are starting to incorporate technology in classrooms across the nation. In 2011, the government of Jamaica started a nation- wide initiative to place internet in schools. This achieved a long –term goal of the Ministry of Communication & Technology– to introduce ICT tools in all educational institutions in Jamaica. Many schools are currently utilising the power of this technology and it will significantly enhance the learning and the teaching environment that exist.

In addition, as of September 2014, students at 37 schools islandwide will have access to tablet computers, through the 'Tablet in Schools Pilot' project. Under the project, 30,000 tablets will be distributed to students in primary and secondary schools to increase the use of technology, and to optimise learning opportunities within and outside of the formal school system.

“We recognise that we have to expose young people to the technology at an earlier age and we believe the technology will facilitate learning and also provide them with an opportunity to have access to a plethora of material. Right now, libraries are constrained by physical space. Once you have the internet, you can do research on just about anything,” Minister Julian Robinson said.This new rollout technology will help prepare students for the future and will ensure that students, particularly those from lower socio-economic groups, are equipped with the confidence and skills to use the technology.

Even though, as a developing nation, Jamaica continues to experience technological challenges, the government has mandated that students be trained to become innovators rather than mere manipulators of technology and urged teachers to use the technology efficiently, to enhance learning in the classroom.

ICT, Jamaica, technology, education, schools, developing nation, Caribbean, innovator

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