e-Learning Jamaica Tablet distribution in high gear

Horace Fisher

Seventh graders, Britania (left) and Brianna Harris from Central High School in May Pen, Clarendon, show their new tablets following the handover of the educational tools to the institution on Monday.

Horace Fisher, Star Writer

The $1.4 billion Tablet in Schools Pilot Programme is well under way with some 8,900 students and 1,600 teachers already receiving the educational gadgets, according to e-Learning Jamaica Implementation Supervisor, Dorothy Thompson.

She also disclosed that since the distribution began at the Salt Savannah Primary School in Rocky Point, Clarendon, in early September, 19 of the 38 schools in the pilot programme have benefited. However, there are reported incidents of thefts.

"We are expected to distribute some 26,000 tablets to the 38 schools in the pilot programme by the end of November," Thompson disclosed at Monday's distribution at Central High in May Pen, Clarendon.

"Unfortunately, a number of the tablets have already been stolen and are being tracked by our security's team. However, the perpetrators have turned the systems off and we are unable to recover them at this time."

She argued that while the educational gadgets have already been distributed to schools in every parish except St Ann and St Mary, there are a number of uncollected systems for students and new teachers who entered the school system in September.

"There are a few students and some teachers who are yet to receive theirs. However, as soon as arrangements are made, they, too, will be presented," the implementation supervisor said.

Principal of Central High, Vinroy Harris, whose school is the 21st in the programme to receive the educational gadgets, was overjoyed. He declared that the teaching and learning experience at the school will be significantly enhanced.

According to Harris, the tablets have ushered in a new chapter of students' educational development, which will give instructors a strong leverage and will eventually be linked to the institution's Students Monitoring System.

"The tablets are a key resource in the educational development of our students, because it will eliminate a lot of the chalk and talk and provide for a more participatory learning experience here," Harris reasoned.

"Eventually, we will be able to link the systems tour Students Monitoring System to give teachers a greater latitude and insight into the students' activities at school and/or at home."