Tablets for Students: President of The University of the West Indies (Cave Hill) Co-operative Credit Union Ltd. Sharon Alexander-Gooding made presentation of tablets to the Principals of The Ellerslie School Stacia Austin; West Terrace Primary School, Ometa Hinds; Good Shepherd Primary School, Olivia Hinds; and St. Stephen’s Primary School, Dr. Colin Cumberbatch.
pix: Front page UWI pic
Credit union donates tablets for 35 students
The University of the West Indies (UWI) Cave Hill Campus Co-operative Credit Union Ltd. is ensuring that students are equipped with the necessary technology to function in the new online teaching and learning environment.
Yesterday, as part of its 35th Anniversary community outreach, the Credit Union donated 35 tablets to five schools within its environs.
During a brief ceremony at the Credit Union’s University Drive headquarters, the principals of Good Shepherd, St. Stephen’s, and West Terrace Primary Schools, as well as The Ellerslie School and Queen’s College accepted seven devices each, which will go to their most vulnerable students.
“We wanted to do something within the community, and as such, we chose the five schools that are within the credit union and the UWI proximity…We know schools are online and not all of the students may have a device to participate in the classes while at home,” President Sharon Alexander-Gooding told members of the media.
“So, I spoke to the principals and told them that they should select the most needy students in their schools to give the tablets. Each school got seven devices, so we donated 35 in keeping with our 35th anniversary…And we hope to have a continuing relationship with the five schools going forward."
Chairman of the Marketing Committee Julian McCollin further revealed that initially, the Credit Union was prepared to donate school supplies and uniforms to the five schools, however that plan changed with the announcement that online teaching will continue.
“The initiative originally started with school uniforms, shoes, stationery supplies, etc. but when the Minister of Education made the announcement that schools were going to be 100% online, we changed our direction to donate tablets instead. We therefore reached out to Promotech and we were able to get the tablets from them at a reduced price and the cases as well,” he said, adding that the principals were extremely pleased to know that students who didn’t have access to a device will receive one. (TL)