Charles: Stakeholders helping with laptops

THA Secretary for the Division of Education, Innovation and Energy Kelvin Charles says businessmen and other stakeholders are responding to the division’s appeal for laptops to assist students who have not yet been able to access the new online curriculum.

He made the statement on Friday at the 39th plenary sitting of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA). Charles moved a motion calling on the House to support the division’s initiatives to provide improved instructional, technical, psychological and logistical support for students, teachers and parents.

The motion also called on employers and managers in the public and private sectors to demonstrate tolerance, understanding and commitment towards the parents of students who may be in their employ.

Since the official start of the new online curriculum in September, parents and teachers have complained that many students, particularly in Tobago East, have not accessed the platform because their parents cannot afford to buy laptops. And, for those who have laptops, many continue to experience problems with connectivity.

The THA subsequently agreed to supply laptops for the students to the tune of $7.825 million. At the post executive council media briefing on September 9, Charles said a policy will be developed to guide the process. On Friday, Charles told members the division’s appeal to businessmen “is going quite well.

“The process of purchase of devices for the schools is going smoothly.”

He added: “I have had conversations with a couple persons, including institutions and they are prepared to assist. As a matter of fact, I spoke to a gentleman who indicated that his alumni, he went to Scarborough Secondary, would be providing ten laptops to that school.”

Charles said the man had also attended Moriah Government School and agreed to donate three devices to the institution. “I just gave that example because people are coming forward.” He said the problems confronting Tobago with its execution of the online curriculum are also being experienced in several other islands.

“And, I know there are those who would argue or attempt to argue that we may not have done enough. But, we have been called to the bar and we have performed creditably.”

Charles said although a minority of students are still having difficulties with connectivity and devices, 85 per cent of the island’s teachers are online-ready. “In fact, Mr Deputy Presiding Officer (Shomari Hector) things are looking brighter and brighter each day.”

Charles commended teachers and PTAs for taking the initiative either to raise funds or to provide assistance to schools by way of devices. “We all heard about the teachers from Mason Hall who did that.” He said in order for online teaching to succeed, all stakeholders must be on-board.