THE broad, bright smile on Winston King’s face was evidence of the youngster’s double pleasure at being among 630 outstanding students in this year’s Primary Exit Profile (PEP) examinations to receive a tablet from the Universal Service Fund (USF), and that he will be starting his secondary education at Campion College, regarded as one of Jamaica’s top high schools.

“I used to study with books but now that I have the technology I can use the Internet to help me study. It can help me a lot more,” Winston shared, adding that Campion was at the top of his list of choices when he sat PEP at Kensington Primary School in St Catherine.

“I am very excited to go to Campion because it is one of the best schools in the entire island of Jamaica. I am very honoured to have been accepted at the school because many had Campion as their first choice but they didn’t receive it,” Winston told the Jamaica Observer at the USF’s Connect a Child Awards Ceremony on August 28 at Karl Hendrickson Auditorium at Jamaica College in St Andrew.

The 630 students were chosen from low-income households in the island’s 63 political constituencies. They each received Samsung Galaxy tablets to support their education and, according to the USF, enable greater participation in an increasingly digital society.

Winston’s mother, Nickesha King, told the Sunday Observer that she was overjoyed to be attending a function because of her son’s academic achievement.

“I am feeling great to know that I am here. I have four children, two boys and two girls. He is the eldest so he must set the trend. I’m feeling great because to know that he worked very hard, and knowing that he had Campion as his first choice, and that he feels honoured to be a part of the Campion group, I’m grateful,” she said.

According to the proud mother, her son has always loved books — , and even though he had a tablet before, it was used mainly for fun and games.

“He mostly used the books but now that he has a tablet that is more advanced he will use that to study,” she said.

Only 470 of the students managed to attend the awards ceremony. Those from rural parts of the island were bused in by the Jamaica Urban Transit Company, a partner in the programme, to collect their prizes and receive words of encouragement.

In his address to the students, USF Chief Executive Officer Charlton McFarlane implored them not to allow the tablets to be the smartest thing they own.

“You must always be smarter than the technology that you use. Ask questions, think critically, be curious and explore. Most importantly, challenge yourselves to create as much as you consume,” McFarlane said while also imploring parents to ensure their children protect the tablets.

As he has done with other groups, McFarlane shared the story of his mother’s early awareness that education was important, saying it formed part of the reason he is now the head of USF.

“My mother was a labourer. She had a part-time job and she was paid $3,000,” he said, before telling the students that his mother paid the fee for him to sit for the information technology examination at the Caribbean Examinations Council level.

“When my mother did that for me, she wasn’t just giving me the opportunity to do another subject, she was giving me the opportunity because she never knew that her son would stand here in front of 630 students as the CEO,” McFarlane said.

“This programme represents much more than the device itself,” he added.

Pointing out that the Connect a Child programme was established in 2023 to help bridge Jamaica’s digital divide by providing devices to high-achieving students from low-income households, McFarlane said more than 2,500 students have now benefited from the programme.