GeoTechVision donates $1 million worth of tablets to schools

At a ceremony to launch the initial phase of the programme on December 18 at the Marlie Tech Park in Marlie Mount, Old Harbour, GeoTechVision donated FCC and Google LLC certified GeO™ tablets valued at nearly J$1 million with the assurance of ongoing technical support service.

The institutions to benefit are Braeton Primary and Junior High, Marlie Mount Primary and Infant  School in Old Harbour and the Woodlawn School of Special Education in Mandeville, Manchester.
Also under the programme students and teachers from each school will receive mentorship.

“These tablets have come at the right time; this is a big step in our PEP preparations”, said Kerian Morant, vice principal of Marlie Mount Primary and Infant School. Morant’s sentiments were echoed by colleague educators and parents at the function.

“These tablets will come in handy and will help in effectively supporting the teaching and learning process”, added Marline Lennox-Lyn, acting principal of Woodlawn School of Special Education in Manchester, which caters to the needs of students with intellectual disabilities between ages six and 18.

GeoTechVision’s managing director Valrie Grant said the student digital citizenship programme will focus on information and data science as part of the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) disciplines. In addition to the digital tablets, she pointed out that the programme will include technology camps, online lessons and mentoring, where GeoTechVision staff will serve as digital mentors.

“Children are digital natives and so they understand technology better than most adults. It is the easiest way for them to learn, because it is such an integral part of their life”, she asserted.

St. Catherine South member of parliament Fitz Jackson, who was on hand, lauded GeoTechVision for giving back to the community, and for its commitment to the vision of making digital tools and technology available to students who often have limited access due to geographic location.

Over the next two years, GeoTechVision plans to expand the student digital citizenship programme across the Caribbean in other markets it serves, targeting underserved and under-represented communities.