MONTEGO BAY, St James — Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security Dr Horace Chang has described the donation of reconditioned equipment to under-resourced schools as profoundly unjust and fundamentally improper.

These schools, according to the deputy prime minister, lack the means to maintain the refurbished equipment which soon become unusable, leaving teachers burdened with outdated machines registered as government property, often left to deteriorate in school spaces for years — harbouring pests and creating unnecessary distractions rather than adding value.

He was speaking during the Ministry of National Security’s second staging of its CyberSMART Community campaign, held at Glendevon Primary and Infant School in St James Wednesday.

“To give reconditioned equipment to a poor school is morally and ethically wrong. They don’t have the resources to maintain them. And if you do it officially, you get a big picture in the newspaper that you are doing this for the school and six months later the computers are gone, nobody [to] fix them,” said Dr Chang, who is also the incumbent Member of Parliament for St James North Western.

“And the teachers have a problem getting rid of them, because they can’t. They are now registered as part of the ministry’s property. And they have to find a lab, a space in the school, put them down, wait. And it stay there for six, seven years, occupying space, breeding rats and roaches, and really a distraction to school,” he added.

The security minister emphasised that while some students in Kingston, supported by their families, have the resources and skills to repair or upgrade second-hand equipment, less fortunate students do not.

He underscored that, to truly make a meaningful impact, schools serving underprivileged children must be provided with high-quality equipment that comes with service guarantees and reliable software to support effective learning.

Chang reminded those gathered that he had insisted on new equipment when he established the first computer lab at Glendevon Primary School using $2 million from a social programme and support from Jamaica National Bank.

Wednesday’s event, which was held under the theme “Building CyberSMART Communities, One Community at a Time”, was an effort to raise awareness about cybersecurity and cybercrime. It is part of the national security ministry’s broader effort to address the growing threat of cyber-attacks and protect the nation’s digital landscape.

Addressing those gathered, the security minister said the country is undergoing rapid digital transformation, with more citizens now banking, shopping, learning, and connecting online.

He further explained that, alongside these opportunities, the country faces growing risks. In the first six months of 2025 alone, more than 200 cyber incidents were reported, including phishing e-mail, stolen banking details, hacked social media accounts, and cases of identity theft, underscoring the urgent need for stronger cybersecurity protections, the security minister noted.

“That is why I am here today to remind you that cybersecurity is national security,” he added.

Principal of Glendevon Primary and Infant School Dr Audrey Lee Peynado (right) makes a point to Ambassador Alison Stone Roofe, permanent secretary, Ministry of National Security, inside the school’s computer laboratory on Wednesday. (Photo: Horace Hines)

Security Minister Dr Horace Chang makes a point during the CyberSMART Community campaign, held at the Glendevon Primary and Infant School in St James on Wednesday. (Photo: Horace Hines)