More students receive their netbook computers

The ‘One Laptop Per Child’ initiative continued last week with the distribution of net books to students on the Leeward side of the island and Bequia.{{more}}

These were distributed on Monday, May 16, by officials of the Ministry of Education.

The netbooks were distributed to students from Grade two to five in both schools. Teachers also received the laptops.

Dr. Jerrol Thompson, who has responsibility for the Goverment’s Telecommunications, Science and Technology programme, officially handed over the netbooks to the students. He noted that the schools will be equipped with wireless Internet to allow the students connection.

Students of the Bequia Anglican, Paget Farm, Bequia Seventh Day Adventist and the Bequia Paradise Primary Schools became the first in the Grenadine islands to receive their netbooks on Wednesday, May 18.

Mardge Hazell, Principal of the Bequia Anglican Primary School, said that she hoped the computers will motivate the students to become more interested in learning and that she anticipated a higher standard of education throughout St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

And students at the Calliaqua Anglican Primary School were expected to begin the use of their netbooks after students from Grades two to five received their computers on Friday, May 20.

Yvette Bowens, Principal of the Calliaqua Anglican Primary School, thanked the Government for the foresight to implement the programme.

She noted that the initiative should bring the students of this nation on par with those of developed countries, in their ability to use and access information on the computer for use during class sessions.

The distribution phase of the project began in April and as of yesterday, Monday, May 23, it was expected that all students of primary schools in the North Windward constituency would have received their laptops.