The Information, Communication and Technological (ICT) aspect of the Primary Education System is poised for a boost following the implementation of the first phase of an estimated joint investment of US$435,722, by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the Government of Montserrat.
The project, financed through the Basis Needs Trust Fund (BNTF) commenced, on Monday with a four–day long workshop for teachers and administrators, and will seek to impact the way teaching is advanced technologically at the Brades and Look Out Primary Schools.
As the teachers gathered on Monday morning, October 17, 2016, to begin workshop, the start was delayed several minutes before it actually got going without the assistance and the benefit of electricity which according to the auditorium mangers was out all morning to that point.
Teachers, clerical and their administrative support team were urged to adapt to the modern day teachings and improve on their strategy during a four day workshop this week precedes the integration of Information, Communication Technology (ICT) in two Primary Schools.
Mrs. Aldeen Williams Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF) Representative said the cost of US$435,722, was earmarked towards the Development of a Communication Human Resources Development Portfolio, which comprises of six (6) elements.
The first element has to do with the expansion of Information and Communication Technology in Primary Schools. “It will allow the People of Montserrat to achieve what was set out in the Ministry of Education plan also in the National ICT Strategy and Plan and overall it will allow us to achieve the goals established in the National Sustainable Development Plan,” Mrs. Williams said,
The BNTF which is jointly funded by the Government of Montserrat and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), involve the upgrade of the ICT infrastructure at Brades and the Look Out Primary Schools, to include Server Base, Network and Wi-fi connectivity, the provision of internet access in every learning space, outfitting each class room with an interactive White Board, outfitting the computer lab at both schools and ensuring that the public primary schools have sufficient bandwidth to effectively access resources on the internet.
She explained that it also entails the process of training teachers and administrators “… to effectively support the integration of ICT across the curriculum.”
She clarified the reason for the ICT infrastructure upgrade at only two primary schools, adding the BNTF Grant resources are binding in the scope of its agreement which was signed by the Caribbean Development Bank and the Government of Montserrat.
The BNTF Representative read part of the contract which confined the project , “…All physical assets financial by the BNTF shall be publicly owned or constructed on land which is publicly owned, facilities of services which are significantly, supported by government faith-based run, our school are eligible.”
The BNTF project was selected to provide funding for school furnishing, ICT equipment, and the delivery of the curriculum, training, and qualities as it relates to enhancement activities and career.
Meanwhile, Dr. Kathy-Ann Daniel-Gittens ICT Specialist and Consultant with Organisation of American States (OAS who facilitated the workshop, explained that her duties are among being the driving force behind the introduction of new skills to integrate ICT in the tutors and administration undertakings in schools.
“It is about starting the process, getting the ball moving and hopefully in the end there would be so much enthusiasm that I think that you are going to find that you your self are going to be carrying the process of ( the Integration of ICT) to individual teaching practices,” said Dr. Daniel-Gittens.
Director of Education Mr. Glenn Francis introduced the workshop and during his opening remarks said the project is part of the Government Strategy’s and plan to digitalise its information and communication platform, adding that the project has been in the works for approximately two years.
“The ministry approached CDB (Caribbean Development Bank) and we said to CDB, we are having a problem of under achievement, at primary (schools), particularly among the boys….And we came up with this notion of providing an additional tool in the toolbox for teachers —a tool, whereby you could use to reach particularly our boys,” he explained, hence the implementation for the introduction of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as a tool for teaching.
According to Mr. Francis, this project is, “perfectly aligned with government’s ICT strategy and plan that speaks to digitizing the entire government (system), the country’s (platform) and where ITC and internet penetration is massive and where much of government services is delivered using e-technology.”
The implementation of this project will, Mr. Francis said, ensure that all our children are trained in an environment that makes them competitive nationally and regionally. He commended the organisers, and stressed that the “great work here is critical to the development of the country.”
Meanwhile, Phase I of the project specifies the Training of –ICT across the curriculum. Part of a two –pronged approach which was done over a three –days period, described, how to integrate ICT and all the related resources within the curriculum.
With respect to the second phase, Mr. Francis said, it is expected to be executed in 2017, and will seek to examine how to work in a network environment throughout the primary school.
R C Parish priest Fr. Mark Schram had marked the opening of the program with prayers. He was introduced by the Director and was then followed by Mrs. Williams and the Facilitator.
Schools throughout the island were out for the week to facilitate the four-day workshop.
