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Technology Can Level Playing Field For Students - Robinson
Published: Monday | January 23, 20120 Comments
Julian Robinson, minister of state in the Ministry of Mining, Energy and Information Communication Technology, has said Jamaica's educational system bore similarities to an apartheid system.
"We have to find a way in the country to level the playing field, because it can't be that the circumstances of where you were born, and where you were raised, allows you to end up in a particular type of school ... and you end up with a second-rate education," Robinson said last week during the science and technology workshop organised by the Mutual Building Societies Foundation (MBSF), under its Centres of Excellence programme.
"The use of technology is one way of levelling the playing field. The kid from the inner city, who has access to technology and can go online and do research, can be on par, certainly in terms of access, with the more affluent student. That is clearly what we have to do as a Government," Robinson told teachers from the six rural-based Centres of Excellence schools at the function, which was held at Christar Villas hotel, St Andrew.
The state minister said technology will help prepare students for the future; and, therefore, schools should ensure that students, particularly those from lower socio-economic groups, are equipped with the confidence and skills to use the technology.
He revealed that the Government will be introducing new technologies in classrooms, under the e-Learning programme, and said, "Investing in Information Communication Technologies (ICT) is the most important thing Jamaica can do at this time".
Robinson proposed that students should be trained to "become innovators rather than mere manipulators of technology," and he urged teachers to use the technology efficiently, to enhance learning in the classroom.
Meanwhile, Peter Reid, senior vice-president and chief operations officer at Victoria Mutual Building Society (VMBS), said science and technology is the foundation on which the Jamaican economy will grow. As such, he noted that more has to be done to promote a culture of science and innovation.
Similarly, Wendell Smith, assistant general manager, management information, systems and operations at JNBS, welcomed the focus on science and technology, and pointed to Jamaica National's consistent investment in modern technology to enhance its savings and loan services.
The MBSF, conceived by VMBS and JNBS in 2008, rolled out some $100 million to fund the Centres of Excellence initiative. The transformation process has positively impacted the educational output of six rural-based high schools during the last four-year period.
Technology Can Level Playing Field For Students - Robinson
Published: Monday | January 23, 20120 Comments
Julian Robinson, minister of state in the Ministry of Mining, Energy and Information Communication Technology, has said Jamaica's educational system bore similarities to an apartheid system.
"We have to find a way in the country to level the playing field, because it can't be that the circumstances of where you were born, and where you were raised, allows you to end up in a particular type of school ... and you end up with a second-rate education," Robinson said last week during the science and technology workshop organised by the Mutual Building Societies Foundation (MBSF), under its Centres of Excellence programme.
"The use of technology is one way of levelling the playing field. The kid from the inner city, who has access to technology and can go online and do research, can be on par, certainly in terms of access, with the more affluent student. That is clearly what we have to do as a Government," Robinson told teachers from the six rural-based Centres of Excellence schools at the function, which was held at Christar Villas hotel, St Andrew.
The state minister said technology will help prepare students for the future; and, therefore, schools should ensure that students, particularly those from lower socio-economic groups, are equipped with the confidence and skills to use the technology.
He revealed that the Government will be introducing new technologies in classrooms, under the e-Learning programme, and said, "Investing in Information Communication Technologies (ICT) is the most important thing Jamaica can do at this time".
Robinson proposed that students should be trained to "become innovators rather than mere manipulators of technology," and he urged teachers to use the technology efficiently, to enhance learning in the classroom.
Meanwhile, Peter Reid, senior vice-president and chief operations officer at Victoria Mutual Building Society (VMBS), said science and technology is the foundation on which the Jamaican economy will grow. As such, he noted that more has to be done to promote a culture of science and innovation.
Similarly, Wendell Smith, assistant general manager, management information, systems and operations at JNBS, welcomed the focus on science and technology, and pointed to Jamaica National's consistent investment in modern technology to enhance its savings and loan services.
The MBSF, conceived by VMBS and JNBS in 2008, rolled out some $100 million to fund the Centres of Excellence initiative. The transformation process has positively impacted the educational output of six rural-based high schools during the last four-year period.
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