Tablet Project presses on despite NSRL headache

The Aron & Christina Foundation through its generous donors, many of them visitors to Barbados, have been able to sustain the Tablet Project.

However, this academic year, the registered charity started by Aron and Christina Truss in 2009, was slapped with the increased National Social Responsibility Level (NSRL) as it sought to acquire the devices for 700 Class 3 students at 15 Government Primary Schools.

“This year, we ran into some trouble financially because even though we raised the money from donors to buy the tablets, the NSRL created a problem for us because it was an additional ten per cent cost that we had to pay on these tablets,” Truss disclosed.

“I do know that the government has to raise funds… but, I do have to say that we are very concerned that it is being imposed on charities and on tablets. In my opinion, I do think that is a very backward way of thinking because the government is asking charities and the private sector to assist as much as possible with supporting key services, such as education and health – and many are prepared to assist.”

“I think that it is really one step forward and two back, if you are going to ask us to assist and then charge us ten per cent for doing it – because that is basically what we had to do – for every $100 that we were going to spend on tablets this year, we had to give the government $10,” he pointed out, encouraging MP for St. Lucy Denis Kellman to relay the grievance to Minister of Finance Christopher Sinckler.

Truss aired his dissatisfaction on Wednesday as the Tablet Project resumed in St. Lucy. Seventy-eight tablets were presented to students of St. Lucy Primary, Selah Primary, Half Moon Fort Primary and Ignatius Byer Primary schools again thanks to British visitor, Keith Morris.

“We could not do this alone. It takes a team of people to make these presentations possible. We are very fortunate as a country that we have people like Mr Morris, who not only come as visitors, but make investments
in Barbados and such donations,” he said, also thanking Promotech.

Agreeing that such a donation to the country’s children should not incur the NSRL, Kellman suggested that the Truss’ communicate with the Ministry of Finance.

“I want to mention that previously donations were tax-free but because they were abused by some – the government had to plug the hole,” Kellman explained.

“I am suggesting that the Truss’ apply to the Ministry of Finance because there is evidence that they are actually giving donations and not using the opportunity to import an item, give some as donations, and them make the remainder saleable.”

The MP also took the opportunity to extend his appreciation to The Aron & Christina Foundation. “Year after year new technology enters our lives and we all are accustomed to looking and expecting tomorrow’s technology. This is one of the gifts The Aron and Christina Foundation gives to our community each year – new technology – but the greater gift is the opportunity to improve how we experience learning and education. The cost of technology changes but the value of education never changes. It is priceless. Education is always looking at tomorrow,” he added. (TL)