Government agencies CHASE Fund, National Education Trust (NET) and e-Learning Jamaica Company Limited are collaborating to install essential digital resources at 15 infant, primary, secondary and special needs institutions across the island on Friday, which is being observed as Labour Day.

The initiative is fully endorsed by the Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Senator, Dr Dana Morris Dixon.

“Leveraging this multi-agency partnership is critical to our mission to transform learning spaces for our children across Jamaica this Labour Day,” Morris Dixon said.

“We welcome more of these opportunities and we thank our partner agencies. As we are all aware, education is a team sport. Everyone has their role to play,” she added.

“Labour Day is about working together to make our communities better,” noted W. Billy Heaven, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the CHASE Fund. “This collaboration is an example of how agencies, working together can play a vital role in supporting Jamaica’s vision for inclusive, high-quality, and technology-driven education at the foundational level,” he elaborated.

For his part, CEO of e-Learning Jamaica Company Limited, Andrew Lee, stated, “We believe that true transformation in education requires equitable access to technology by all students. Our collaboration with the CHASE Fund and the National Education Trust, an agency of the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, is not just about improving infrastructure, it’s about empowering students and educators with the digital tools they need to thrive in a technology-driven world. We are excited to be part of this endeavor.”

According to the education ministry, by pooling resources, expertise, and funding, the agencies aim to bridge the digital divide that has long hindered equitable educational opportunities.

“The initiative, valued at $10 million, will involve internet upgrades for schools with limited connectivity and the provision of smartboards and laptops. Additionally, staff volunteers will be mobilised on the day to support infrastructure improvements, installations and beautification efforts, training programmes for educators and students to maximise the effective use of new technologies, all set to go beyond Labour Day,” the ministry explained.

Latoya Harris-Ghartey, Executive Director of the NET, said the initiative is a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when people come together with purpose and heart.

“This Labour Day we are not just bringing equipment to schools, we are bringing hope, opportunity and a renewed sense of possibility for hundreds of children,” she said.

The targeted schools are: Chantilly Primary and Infant School, Westmoreland; Pindar’s Valley Primary and Infant School, Clarendon; Manchioneal Primary and Infant School, Portland; Annotto Bay Primary and Infant School, St Mary; Catherine Hall Special Education Unit, St James; Edgehill School of Special Education, Ocho Rios Campus, St Ann; St Martin de Porres Primary and Infant School, St Andrew; White Marl Primary and Infant School, St Catherine; Vauxhall High School, Kingston; Vaughansfield Primary and Infant School, St James; Bull Bay Primary and Infant School, St Andrew; Porus High School, Manchester; Muschett High School, Trelawny; the Danny Williams School for the Deaf, Kingston; and the Roger Clarke High School (formerly known as Balaclava High School), St Elizabeth.