The Education Ministry is currently considering providing access to out-of-school students in some subjects and is providing other resources via television, online and radio. But laptops won’t be given to students, says Education Minister Anthony Garcia.
He indicated this yesterday to UNC Senators Wade Mark and Kadijah Ameen, who’d asked if the ministry is considering assigning laptops to students to learn from home while schools are closed due to COVID-19.
Garcia said consideration is being given to providing access in areas like Technical Drawing, which requires use of Autocad. The ministry is also in the process of providing resources using television, online and radio for all students, including those studying for CAPE, CSEC and SEA exams.
“Details of this will be shared shortly,” he added.
When Ameen asked if laptops would be considered for students’ use, Garcia said schools are closed and laptops available for students are under “lock and key... that’s why we’re using alternative resources to ensure students’ have quality education.”
When she asked if he’d consider allowing laptops for students, Garcia said, “We don’t think it’s necessary to go this way. We’re using other alternatives to ensure students are well served.”
Garcia said his ministry’s funding was affected by the financial crisis caused by energy price drops and the virus issue.
Finance Minister Colm Imbert also said the COVID-19 issue could delay final amendments to the Public Procurement Act and its regulations which were to have been laid and debated in Parliament this month.
Imbert said, “Precautionary measures that are being taken to contain spread of the virus will, in all likelihood, affect this schedule, but barring unforeseen circumstances we’re still working towards laying amendments in Parliament by month-end.”