MILE GULLY, Manchester — Students at the Mile Gully Primary School in north-west Manchester are set to benefit from the donation of equipment to the school’s computer lab as the school embraces digital learning.

The most recent donation was on Tuesday when businessman Hopeton McCatty gifted a desktop computer to the school.

“It is my belief that education is the only hope for us as a people, so we have to be educated and it doesn’t matter where you are. I was fortunate to have attended a primary school just like this and that is the basis of my education,” McCatty told students inside the institution’s computer lab.

He explained that a Jamaican-American couple, Wessel and Claire Evans, donated the money to purchase the computer and pledged to provide more resources to the school.

McCatty, a well-known political figure in Manchester and St Elizabeth, encouraged students to dream about their future then work towards accomplishing goals.

“No matter what happens, you should aspire for what you want. Even if your parents can’t afford to send you to university, do not take the aspiration out of your mind, keep it. You would be surprised that some people go to university at age 17, 18, 19, or 20 and some go when they are 35, it is never too old to learn. Continue to strive for excellence and make Mile Gully school one where people will want to come to,” added McCatty.

Principal of Mile Gully Primary Suzet Stewart expressed gratitude as she said the school, with a population of 184 students, is in need of resources including computers and a smartboard.

“This will allow more students access to the system and enhance their education and development,” said Stewart.

She pointed to the need for an upgraded library at the school.

“Our library needs to be fully equipped. Right now we need shelves to stock the books that we have and we would also need additional supplies of books as well. We really need furniture — tables and chairs — so that the layout of our library would be ideal for our students to use it,” added Stewart.

For the students the new computer was a welcomed gift.

Rodeisha Roach, the school’s head girl, and Keneil Hew, the head boy, were elated with the donation.

“The computer lab has helped us to do our presentations in class and we have learnt a lot from the computers and with a new computer added today I feel very excited to learn more,” said Roach while pointing out that she doesn’t have access to a computer at her home.

“Once I come into the lab I feel calm and Miss [Lydia] Skeffery guides me through the process of using the computers,” she added.

Hew shared a similar sentiment.

“I feel excited about the new computer and I want to be the first to use it,” he said.