In an effort to help improve e-learning opportunities for students in its operating areas, Jamalco has donated 100 tablets to 12 primary schools through its Tablets in Schools programme. The tablets were officially handed over at a ceremony held at the Wembley Centre of Excellence in Hayes, Clarendon on September 22.

The tablets were purchased with a $J4-million grant made possible by the Noble Foundation and represents the second such donation of the gadgets to schools in Clarendon and Manchester, Jamalco said in a release.

Among the schools benefiting were Mineral Heights Primary, Watsonton Primary, Salt Savannah Primary, Porus Primary, Mocho Primary, Broadleaf Primary and Victoria Town Primary.

The function also served as a forum to train the teachers from the recipient schools in the use of the tablets. Training was provided by personnel from Geo Tech Vision, the agency responsible for supplying the tablets.

“It’s initiatives like this that help students, especially those in the rural areas, become exposed to concepts that their counterparts in the ‘town’ schools have been long exposed to,” said president of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association Georgia Waugh Richards, guest speaker at the hand-over.

She explained that through the use of tablets, teachers are able to provide activities for every learning style and ability, enabling them to become critical and creative thinkers.

Noble Group country representative for Jamaica Roy Marsh pointed out that the Noble Foundation, in collaboration with Jamalco, was committed to providing schools in Jamalco’s operating areas with the technological resources needed to improve e-learning standards.

Deputising for CEO Antonio Melo, EHS Manager Andrea Spence implored the teachers to use the tablets as tools to enhance learning and not to lock them away in cupboards.