[UPDATED] Chinese Embassy donates 22 laptops to San Juan North Secondary

SAN JUAN North Secondary School received 22 new Lenovo laptops from the Chinese Embassy on September 4, as part of China’s celebration of 50 years of diplomatic relations with Trinidad and Tobago.

The school, which celebrated its 45th anniversary on September 3, said the laptops will benefit more than 20 per cent of its 950 students, who will likely use them daily.

Principal Dabrielle Nurse said the school had a 100 per cent pass rate in CXC subjects such as digital media and office administration and an 88 per cent pass rate in information technology.

“We are happy for the granting of these devices because it will help our students greatly in the areas they are proficient in.

“Because there is a shortage of laptops in the school, it will also be invaluable for students who have to do school-based assessments (SBA). Even at the lower level, we want to develop their computing skills so when they have to start their SBAs, that kind of foundational knowledge will serve our students well.”

The laptops will be placed in a classroom labelled the China-Trinidad Friendship Room.

Chinese ambassador Fang Qiu described the donation and the unveiling of the room as a significant moment and noted the room was the first of its kind in TT.

“I want to thank the Minister of Education because we share the same thought to create a better environment for young people in this country to achieve academic excellence.”

School officials praised Education Minister Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly for her role, as MP for the area (St Ann's East), in connecting the school with the embassy.

This is the latest charitable act in a long-running relationship between the embassy and the school. The embassy donated a Huawei smart whiteboard during the early stages of the covid pandemic, and has also sponsored a scholarship programme at the school.

“We have a long-standing history and relationship of collaboration, strategic engagement and we are proud to have benefited from culture of philanthropy from China and the Chinese embassy,” said Nurse.

She added as a foreign-language educator, she understands the value of appreciating culture and looks forward to engaging in strategic cultural exchanges with China including the establishment of a cultural appreciation club to teach students mandarin.

“We know that China is well known for its culture, arts, music and dance and we look forward to learning from them. One of the initiatives we have been discussing is the possibility in engaging our students in learning mandarin. We are exposing our students to a number of different activities thorough our clubs in the school and this is one activity we hope to have.”

The school certainly did its part to show Fang what they have to offer in a cultural exchange as members of its award-winning steel orchestra serenaded him and his delegation with a stunning performance of Benjai’s hit song Trini, which had everyone singing along.

Nurse said the school’s academic performance, and the revival of its various clubs and its steel orchestra, have contributed to its earning the title of most improved secondary school in TT.

“Our school is big on the arts, food, and culture on the whole. So this is just the opportunity to add another layer to the relationship with the embassy.

“Because once you have a foundation, once that interest is ignited, I mean, we don't know how far they can go, you know? So we look forward to the possibilities that just starting a little club, a Mandarin club – we're looking to see how far it can take us, and we know it can go very far.”

This story was originally published with the title "Chinese Embassy donates 22 laptops to San Juan North Secondary" and has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

SAN JUAN North Secondary School received 22 new Lenovo laptops from the Chinese Embassy on September 4, as part of China’s celebration of 50 years of diplomatic relations with Trinidad and Tobago.

The school, which celebrated its 45th anniversary on September 3, said the laptops will benefit more than 20 per cent of its 950 students, who will likely use them daily.

Principal Dabrielle Nurse said the school had a 100 per cent pass rate in CXC subjects such as digital media and office administration and an 88 per cent pass rate in information technology.

“We are happy for the granting of these devices because it will help our students greatly in the areas they are proficient in.

“Because there is a shortage of laptops in the school, it will also be invaluable for students who have to do school-based assessments (SBA). Even at the lower level, we want to develop their computing skills so when they have to start their SBAs, that kind of foundational knowledge will serve our students well.”

The laptops will be placed in a classroom labelled the China-Trinidad Friendship Room.

Chinese ambassador Fang Qiu described the donation and the unveiling of the room as a significant moment and noted the room was the first of its kind in Trinidad and Tobago.

“I want to thank the Minister of Education because we share the same thought to create a better environment for young people in this country to achieve academic excellence.”

School officials praised Education Minister Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly for her role, as MP for the area (St Ann's East), in connecting the school with the embassy.

This is the latest charitable act in a long-running relationship between the embassy and the school. The embassy donated a Huawei smart board during the early stages of the covid pandemic, and has also sponsored a scholarship programme at the school.