SCOTIABANK recently donated 15 new computer systems, valued at approximately $1.5 million, to two institutions — William Knibb High School in Trelawny and the Youth Reaching Youth community outreach programme in Kingston.

“The bank has partnered with Usain Bolt’s management team to equip a new computer lab which the track star was instrumental in constructing at his alma mater William Knibb High School. The bank has donated 10 computers to enhance the school’s information technology learning programme,” said a release from the bank.

“The computers were presented in two tranches — the first set were presented in October and the second set handed over to representatives of the school on November 24 at a small ceremony organised at the bank’s head office,” it added.

The bank donated another five computers to Youth Reaching Youth, a community outreach programme operated by Swallowfield Chapel. The project is focussed on empowering Christian youth leaders to be peer counsellors for other young people as they hone life-coping skills, including conflict resolution, sexuality, drug abuse and violence prevention, as well as developing positive values and attitudes.

“The donations will assist these institutions with administrative duties as well as enhance teaching techniques, expand their curricular, facilitate research and improve information technology skills,” noted the bank in the release.

The 15 computers were presented to the two organisations by the bank’s president and CEO, Bruce Bowen, who was on an official visit from Canada. Also present was Robert Pitfield, group head of international banking and chairman of Scotiabank Jamaica.

“The bank’s computer education programme is a corporate thrust from us to act on its commitment to improve the quality of education among Jamaica’s youth, as we recognise that computer technology is a critical tool in teaching the school curriculum, exposing students to trends on the global landscape, building specialist skills and facilitating efficiency,” said Pitfield, in handing over the computers.

The newly donated systems will now bring the total number of computers donated to schools in the last three academic years to 97, all provided at a cost of $10.5 million.

“The bank has made a strategic decision to donate computers to schools in need that are located in rural and inner-city communities. Last year several schools from St James Bay, St Ann, St Catherine, Westmoreland and Manchester received 28 computers,” the release said.

Since 1996, Scotiabank and the Scotiabank Jamaica Foundation have been establishing computer laboratories and equipping schools with state-of-the-art multi-media systems.