The learning gaps caused by the recent COVID-19 pandemic are still far-reaching, with the loss of learning time with students still a cause for concern among educators and parents.

Taking matters into their own hands, the St Richard’s Primary School articulated a post-COVID School Improvement Plan with the primary objective of enhancing the integration of technology in educational delivery. With 868 students currently enrolled, this initiative aims to assist the student population, including those hailing from nearby volatile communities, to achieve at least 75 per cent mastery of the Primary Exit Profile (PEP) curriculum.

Their wish – SMART TVs to help with the delivery of classroom lessons. According to the school’s Principal, Maria Mutidjo, SMART TVs are preferred over the traditional projector and screen or Smartboard set-ups as they are simply plug and play, while the prior requires tedious set-up, air conditioned environments, and darkened rooms to function effectively.

“I use my computer every day to teach my students, because if you can get content that is presented in a seamless, easy-to-understand way, this will help you to connect with students so much more easily,” shared Marcia Hunter-Wright, St Richard’s grade five teacher.

“These children are on it [YouTube] all the time, so having a SMART TV is a big plus in the classroom. Technology is always evolving, so with all the features of SMART TVs, students can get access to rich content they can connect to, and it’s far easier than using projectors and screens.”

Choosing the school as her pick for Grant a Wish 2023 was a no-brainer for NCB Foundation Board Director, Kenia Mattis, who shared: “After hearing about St. Richard’s Primary and their plans for the school, we realise that we had an opportunity to not only uplift the spirits of the students and staff, but to also enhance their learning environment significantly. The school’s initiative to integrate technology in their classrooms resonates deeply with the NCB Foundation’s goals, so I am more than happy to support their efforts with these SMART TVs, knowing it will make a real difference in how the students engage with the curriculum and the world they live in.”

While the school’s long-term strategy includes the construction of a computer lab, in the short term, they seek to equip all 24 classrooms with SMART TVs for more efficient and effective instruction. Mattis had no challenge using her J$180,000 Director’s allocation to purchase three SMART TVs for the school to help get them closer to their goal.

Themed, ‘Let it Shine’, NCB Foundation’s annual Grant a Wish programme closed on December 13, 2023 this year, after inviting nominations and voting from the public for wishes in five categories – Registered Charities, Schools and Technology, Medical Assistance, Persons with Disabilities and Community Heroes. The top-voted wishes in each category will receive a share of the J$15 million prize purse as follows – 1st place – $1 million, 2nd place – $500,000 and 3rd place – $250,000.