The Tribune

By NICO SCAVELLA

Tribune Staff Reporter

nscavella@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Perry Christie has donated nearly $50,000 towards the purchase of laptops for primary school students, Education Minister Jerome Fitzgerald said yesterday.

Mr Fitzgerald said Mr Christie, the member of Parliament for Centreville, donated $48,000 towards the purchase of laptops for students attending four primary schools in his constituency. He said Mr Christie was one of ten parliamentarians to make contributions to students.

Mr Fitzgerald said as a result, a total of 260 laptops valued at over $156,000 have been donated by the unspecified group of parliamentarians, Mr Christie included. Mr Fitzgerald also said corporate sponsors have already pledged over $193,000 through “computer donations or financial contributions.”

The donations are in conjunction with non-profit organisation Mission: Educate Bahamas’ Tune In to Reading Programme, a music-based computer programme developed in the United States that helps students improve their reading abilities in record time.

According to Mr Fitzgerald, the initiative is for enhancing the “teaching and learning process through the use of interactive technology” and is geared specifically at increasing the reading skills of children.

“In order for our students to excel, they must be provided with the necessary scaffolding to ensure that they build towards a bright and secure future,” he said.

“They will use this equipment to enhance the technical skills they possess. It will also present an opportunity for more learning to take place as we seek to facilitate quality education for equitable development through performance, path and productivity.”

Mr Christie, also present for the presentation, yesterday called the initiative the “way of the future” in providing quality education for children in The Bahamas.

“I’ve met with (Mr Fitzgerald) in recent times, and I’ve indicated that we must not compromise on our commitment to every child counts,” he said. “Education unlocks the door of opportunities in life and therefore our job is to make sure that we recognise that when children cannot read or read properly, they’re insecure. And when a child and an adolescent is insecure, that child can do any kind of thing, and the country is suffering from that kind of thing today.”

Chris Tsavoussis, president of Wendy’s Bahamas and lead sponsor for Mission: Educate Bahamas, thanked the government for “significantly donating to this most worthy cause.”

“This timely gift will allow primary schools in each of your respective constituencies to be outfitted with tune into reading equipment and hundreds of lap top computers where previously there were none,” he said. “Struggling readers in these schools will now find the help and support they need to close the gap and get back on track. Teachers will also have a viable and revolutionary tool to reach them with.”

According to Mr Fitzgerald, schools to receive computers in New Providence are Palmdale Primary, Centreville Primary, Columbus Primary, EP Roberts Primary, Gambier Primary, Claridge Primary, Sadie Curtis Primary, Garvin Tynes Primary and Thelma Gibson Primary.

Schools to receive computers in Grand Bahama include Hugh Campbell Primary, West End Primary and Holmes Rock Primary.

Meanwhile, he said schools in Cat Island, Rum Cay, San Salvador, Inagua, Crooked Island, Mayaguana, Acklins, North Andros and the Berry Islands also will be receiving computers.