Marlie Mount students receive tablets from past student, principal calls for more support

Latoya Brown, a final year student preparing for the Primary Exit Profile (PEP) exam and Cenicia Burgher, a top-performing grade five pupil, were both recently presented with tablets to aid their academic performance levels and virtual learning due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. 

The tablets were donated by Jamaican-born US national Duwayne Newman, a 1991 graduate of the institution based in Marlie Mount, Old Harbour. Newman said he felt compelled to respond to the request made by PTA President Andrew Hancel.

"Mr Hancel and I are very good friends. So when he reached out to me and say there are students at Marlie Mount who are not able to participate in online classes because they do not have a mobile device for themselves, I immediately tell myself that no matter what I'm gonna make the sacrifice,” said Newman who could not make the presentation himself due to mandatory quarantine protocols imposed by the government on travellers entering the country from overseas.

“I was planning to come to Jamaica already. My luggage was packed already, but I had to find space to bring a couple tablets down for the students. I wish I could do more but the notice was short and I had a lot things planned before,” he added.

“But when I return to the States, I'll be lobbying some friends and other Jamaicans I know to see how best we can help those children in need. A good education is very important and the way the world is going now our children need to adjust to online schooling, but they will not be able to do so if they do not have the right tools such as a tablet or smart phone.”

Their education has been hampered by not owning a mobile device, the recipients informed Old Harbour News, as they had to wait on their mothers whenever they get home to access the day's lessons.

Both are elated and expressed gratitude for Newman’s generosity.

Hancel said the PTA is grateful.

“Two tablets might be seen as insignificant, but that's two less students that the school or the government needs to worry about now, said the PTA president.

“On behalf of the PTA we would like to thank Duwayne Newman for responding positively at such short notice and do hope that other past students take note and sponsor at least one child with a tablet.

Principal Calvin Harris is also elated by the gesture, noting that a high number of students who are not on the Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH) are without a tablet currently. Overall, he said, at the moment only about 70 percent of the 1,500 school population have been able to participate in remote learning via Google Classroom.

“We have approximately 200 students who are not on PATH who are in need of devices and so getting these two contributions to those students is a huge step,” Harris told Old Harbour News. In commending Newman, the school principal, is “appealing to other past students as well to come on board”.

“A tablet to a child is one of the means to ensure that student gets access to a good education,” he said.