‘It will captivate them more’ | Modern digital classroom to improve learning experience at Old Harbour Primary

Three months ago the same individuals were here to sign off on the US$50,000 investment by the philanthropic arm of the telecommunications company with the objective of bringing up Jamaican children on par with their international peers. 

With every passing day from now onwards that objective is closer to being met.

• Old Harbour Primary to benefit from US$50,000 ICT lab investment

On any given day, 24 students and a tutor will be able to engage in the teaching and learning of any subject in a modern way utilizing digital devices.

It’s the way of the modern world, the Fourth Industrial Revolution, also dubbed ‘The Internet of Things’.

“We recognize that these students are in the technological age and the things of the past and the way we teach really doesn’t coincide with what their interests are. And so we put a proposal together because we believe we want to technologize our school. And so we believe that if we bring the things to the children that are of their interest it will captivate them more to want to learn,” said George Goode, principal, in his overview at Thursday’s handing over ceremony.

Indeed, Goode’s observation has been documented in many research papers on education and the ways children of this generation are better stimulated to learn.

“This ICT room will help the Old Harbour Primary School to improve the teaching, learning process,” Sophia Forbes Hall, director, Region 6, Ministry of Education, said. “We wish to extend thanks to the bigger better network for its donation of over $7 million.”

Under its Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics programme, which goes by the acronym STEAM, Digicel Foundation has set itself a target to build 10 ICT classrooms in primary schools across Jamaican by the end of next year. The ICT learning facility at Old Harbour Primary is the third to be built so far under the programme.

Jean Lowrie-Chin, chair, Digicel Foundation, said education has always been one of its hallmarks since the company made Jamaica its home.

She said: “Education is a pillar of Digicel Foundation’s work. We believe that digital literacy is a vital part of this. As of December of 2022 we have committed US$17.53 million to date in helping our young people access quality primary and secondary education. Since our inception we have completed 98 education projects in the parish of St Catherine alone.”