Knowledge-based society critical – Wheatley
MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica (JIS) — Minister of Science, Energy and Technology, Dr Andrew Wheatley, says if Jamaica is to compete globally, it must develop an efficient knowledge-based society.
The minister, who was addressing the opening of a Community Access Point (CAP) in Springfield, St James, on April 20, added that it is important that citizens be given the necessary tools to prepare for the important jobs that will be available in information technology, which will be equally critical for economic growth and development.
“If Jamaica is to truly compete and really attain economic growth and development, we have to develop the competencies to be able to fit into the digital space,” he added.
The minister argued that as technology evolves, it is also important that the country evolve “as a people and as a nation”, so as to maximise all the available opportunities that will inevitably become available.
“We don’t want to train our people to use the technology just for social media purposes. We want them to be able to create employment opportunities where they can lead productive lives for themselves and their families,” he said.
The minister pointed out that the Springfield CAP site, the 256th to be opened across the island, will be used to train persons not only to use the computer but to develop business plans, and to ensure that a digital society can be developed in the Springfield community that will contribute to national development.
“We want to ensure that it is the entire Jamaica that benefits from this development of a knowledge-based society,” Wheatley added.
He pointed out that a number of deep-rural communities in St James should benefit further from more CAP sites, ensuring that the Government’s commitment to maximise the full use of technology is fulfilled.
“We believe that the citizens and the Government must have such a relationship where there is no more communication barrier and where technology will be the vehicle that will lead to more effective governance and efficient services,” the minister added.
