Digicel ‘Computers in Schools’ begins

In an effort to expose children to the fast changing technological world, telecommunications company Digicel has launched a campaign which awards the winners with computers.{{more}}

Digicel ‘Computers in Schools’ campaign was officially launched on Monday, June 21, 2010, at the Joachim and Associates conference room. Speaking at the ceremony, Manager of Digicel, Jerry George, highlighted the importance of technology in schools.

“If we are really going to empower our young people in today’s world, one of the things we have to be able to use with ease and comfort is the computer,” he said.

Country Manager, Sonia Polius, stated that twenty computers will be awarded to schools based on their performance in the poster and essay competitions. The poster competition will take place in all primary schools, while the secondary schools will participate in only the essay competition.

Stating that Digicel has always supported education, Polius noted that computer literacy is very important.”We recognize now that it is not sufficient for persons to be literate, but computer literate,” Polius stated. She added that in 2009, Digicel donated US$400,000 to build schools in Jamaica and has also built schools in Haiti. Polius added that she hopes that schools are encouraged to participate in the competition.

Marise Butler, Education Officer for Literacy in the Ministry of Education, expressed that the competition will give students the opportunity to express their creativity in writing as well as art.

While she disclosed that the themes for the poster competition are still being finalized, the secondary school essay topics are “A day in the life as a cell phone” for students from Forms one to three, and fourth and fifth form students will write on the topic “A cell phone is a necessary device for every student in today’s society.”

Schools are expected to submit essays and posters by September 27, 2010. An official awards ceremony is expected to take place on October 4, 2010. The Ministry of Education, which is collaborating with Digicel on the campaign, will provide schools with the information on the competition.