(EMU) – St. Kitts, May 09, 2019: The Ministry of Education and the Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM) dedicated three newly refurbished computer labs on Wednesday 8th May, in the presence of excited students, teachers and special guests.
The three (3) pilot schools for the ‘Primary School Computer Enhancement Project: IT Integration Learning Space’ were the Joshua Obediah Primary, Cayon Primary and the Deanne Glasford Primary Schools. The project started in 2016 and sought to refurbish the schools’ main computer labs by removing old workstations and furniture and by modifying where necessary and outfitting the spaces with modern equipment.
“These improvements to the computer labs will be accessible to all students,” stated Hon. Shawn Richards, Minister with responsibility for Education. He continued, “Information Technology continues to drive what we do every day in the world.” The Minister further highlighted the Ministry’s efforts to enhance the curriculum using IT and pledged that the curriculum currently being restructured will reflect that. He added, “The recommendation has been to ensure that IT is infused in every single aspect of the curriculum. Hence, no matter which subject you are being taught, it is expected that IT will be utilized in teaching you that particular subject.”
He included that the newly refurbished computer labs were the direct result of a three-pronged approach. This initiative required educating the students using the IT facility, ensuring their comfort and securing the labs so other students could use them in the future.
“It is important to embrace these new technologies; they are going to advance you dramatically,” advised Dean of the RUSVM, Dr. Sean Callanan while speaking to the students. He added, “In my mind computers open you to a (new) world but the technology of using them is equally important.”
He reflected on the many beneficial partnerships both entities have shared throughout the 35 years RUSVM has been operational in the Federation. “This has been a wonderful partnership, and one we’ve always cherished, to work with the government and their initiatives and we are so proud that one of those initiatives is education, because our parent company called Adtalem means empowerment and for us, one way you become empowered is through education.”
During the ceremonies, Hon. Eugene Hamilton parliamentary representative expressed his gratitude for the support given to the Ministry of Education and Agriculture by the Ross University over the years, and implored the students to take special care of their new additions to their respective schools.
Throughout the ceremonies, the Minister of Education, Hon. Shawn Richards and parliamentary representative, Hon. Eugene Hamilton thanked all those involved in the initiative for their hard work and effort. The added that the creation of these computer labs will further enhance the Ministry’s thrust for smart classrooms, and thank all the contributors, especially the Ross University of (RUSVM) for their role.
The Ministry of Education would like to thank the teams from the RUSVM and the steering committee from the Ministry of Education who spearheaded this initiative as well as all other stakeholders, particularly Fraites & Sons Bakery for its special contribution to the Joshua Obediah Primary School. The computers received by the students would help them acquire technological and IT skills as they pursue their academic careers.
All parties expressed their desire to share resources and collaborate in the future on projects that are beneficial to the youths and the wider community.
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