Principals concerned about 30,000 students being without online devices

NATIONAL Primary Schools Principals' Association president Lance Mottley is not surprised by a statement from the Education Ministry that 30,000 students still do not have access to electronic devices to undertake virtual schooling as the new school term starts on Monday.

Mottley told Newsday, "While this might be a significant improvement from the figures given mid last year, that over 60,000 students were without devices, we cannot be comforted that some 30,000 students' education could be adversely affected because of a lack of devices."

Describing this as a serious matter, Mottley added, "I hope that this will be addressed in short order."

He also said there were lessons about the covid19 pandemic that education sector stakeholders need to take from last year, as they move forward into 2021.

"The most important takeaway from this pandemic is that our education sector must evolve to incorporate the use of technology in the delivery and assessment of the curriculum. Mottley continued, "Our students' education should not be constrained by the physical boundaries of a school building."

He believed the experience of the covid19 pandemic should be one to give stakeholders a head start to go beyond the brick and mortar of school buildings.

Mottley explained that systemic changes must be made to see students not only learning anywhere and anytime, but being able to write exams remotely.

"These systemic changes would involve, but are not limited to, curriculum changes, terms and conditions of teachers, teacher training, and how the Ministry of Education engages all stakeholders."

Education Minister Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly told Newsday, data collected in October showed that the initial figure of students without devices which stood at nearly 65,000 has decreased through government's adopt-a -school initiative.

She said, “Through the adopt-a -school programme, over 21,000 devices have been pledged, of which 10,000 have been delivered thus far. The government’s procurement process for 20,000 laptops has begun through iGovTT.”

Gadsby-Dolly said it was a curve ball for all stakeholders to transition into the new mode of teaching, but efforts were being made to rectify this.