KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Government has invested $8.2 billion in tablets, laptops, interactive panels, projectors and specialised equipment for special needs schools since 2017.

This was noted by Finance and Public Service Minister Fayval Williams as she closed the 2025/26 Budget Debate on Tuesday.

She was responding to the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) which promised to remove all taxes on laptops and tablets for students and teachers at a cost of $350 million.

“At least $1 billion is committed annually toward funding our technology in education policy. There is no comparison,” Williams stated.

She also noted that Opposition Leader Mark Golding in his presentation stated that the PNP will negotiate package deals to provide teachers with free internet service as a tool of their trade.

Responding, Williams said “This government provides laptops, tablets and other devices for students, teachers and classrooms. Since COVID in 2020, this government has issued out, free of cost, to students, teachers and installed in classrooms 198,323 tablets, laptops, interactive panels, projectors and specialised equipment for special education schools since we have been in government.”

“To date, our spend on behalf of the Jamaican people has been $8.2 billion. And each year, we make an allocation of at least $1 billion dollars to ensure we continue with our technology in schools programme,” the minister added.

Williams highlighted that since 2020, the administration has been rolling out broadband internet service to schools at no cost.

“As of today, about 680 schools have free Wi-Fi inside and outside of the classrooms and we are not done yet. Every school will have Wi-Fi inside and outside. That’s not a promise. That’s a commitment and we back it up with an annual allocation year-in-year-out,” she said.

She also pointed to the 379 community Wi-Fi hot-spot locations across Jamaica.