KINGSTON, Jamaica — A primary school teacher has been named the inaugural winner of the 2026 Flow Foundation ICT Innovation Teacher of the Year Award, recognising excellence in the use of technology to enhance teaching and learning.

According to a release, Duval Ebanks, a St Ann-based teacher at Camperdown Primary School, was announced as the winner during a special awards ceremony hosted on June 29 by the Flow Foundation in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Youth, Skills and Information (MOEYSI) and the Jamaica Teaching Council.

The event celebrated educators from across Jamaica who are using technology to prepare students for a future shaped by digital skills and emerging technologies.

The release stated that 63 teachers were selected across all seven MOEYSI regions and participated in a six-month vetting and assessment process. Seven finalists were ultimately selected to compete for the title.

As the overall winner, Ebanks received an all-expenses-paid trip to the CANTO Digital and Telecommunications Conference, scheduled to take place in the Dominican Republic from August 9 to 12. The regional conference brings together leaders from across the telecommunications and technology sectors and will provide opportunities for learning, exposure and networking.

Lateton Williams of Herbert Morrison Technical High School in St James was placed second and will also attend the CANTO conference, while Jody-Ann Thomas of Buff Bay Primary School in Portland placed third. All three top-placed educators received cash prizes, while the schools they represent will receive technology upgrades from the Flow Foundation ahead of the new academic in September.

State Minister in the Ministry of Education, Youth, Skills, and Information, Rhoda Moy Crawford (L), presents Lateton Williams of Herbert Morrison Technical High with his first-runner up trophy in the ICT Innovation Teacher of the Year Awards.

Ebanks said the recognition was a proud moment, not only for him, but also for his students and school community.

“I am truly honoured and excited to receive this award,” said Ebanks.

Stephen Price, Chairman of the Flow Foundation and Vice President and General Manager, Flow, has the attention of, from left, Rhys Campbell, Executive Director of the Flow Foundation, Rhoda Moy Crawford, State Minister in the Ministry of Education, Youth, Skills, and Information, Dr. Kasan Troupe, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Youth, Skills, and Information, and Delroy McLean, Chief Technology Officer, Proven Group, at the ICT Innovation Teacher of the Year Awards on Monday at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel.

“Teaching with technology is about more than using devices. It is about opening students’ eyes to what is possible and helping them believe that they can be innovators and leaders. My mission has always been to impact the lives of my students in a way that gives them confidence and builds their skills for the future.”

Executive Director of the Flow Foundation, Rhys Campbell, said the awards were created to shine a national spotlight on educators who are helping Jamaica build the talent needed for the digital economy.

“These teachers represent the very best of what this award was designed to celebrate. They are using technology not simply as a teaching aid, but as a bridge to opportunity. Their work shows how ICT can unlock creativity, build confidence and help students develop the skills they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world. At the Flow Foundation, we believe that when we invest in teachers, we are investing directly in Jamaica’s future,” Campbell said.

He added that the Flow Foundation’s focus on education supported by technology is closely aligned with the need to prepare students for a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, robotics, digital innovation and emerging technologies.

The ICT Innovation Teacher of the Year Awards will form part of the Flow Foundation’s wider commitment to advancing digital inclusion and supporting technology-enabled learning across Jamaica.