Jones pushing for ethical use of technology in schools

Well aware that Barbadian school children have long embraced technology, Education Minister, Ronald Jones, says what must now be emphasised, is the ethical use of this technology.

Jones, the Minister of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, made his stance know recently.

“We are aware that our children now live with the technology, even if it is in the form of a sophisticated smartphone – they live with that. They are able to be part of the social media network, and sometimes, a bit unfortunately, they venture into sites and they can actually be (easily distracted) as a result of their own curiosity, but we cannot be leadite in our approach to the technology.

“Leadite refers to a group of persons who previously lived in Germany, who thought all the technology should have been destroyed,” the Education Minister pointed out.

“We cannot destroy technology. We have to encourage the ethical use of technology. We have to encourage persons to do research; we have to encourage persons to reach out beyond their own borders and communicate with other people, other civilisations, other cultures.

“And as a result of that, greater racial harmony, greater collaboration can be ensured, as a result of people reaching out,” Jones further commented.

“So we are not keeping the technology from our children – I surely am not. As a proponent of its utilisation, and as one who supports the fullest use of technology, that has to be the call... that has to be the effort that is taking place within our schools,” Jones remarked. (RSM)