Basseterre, St. Kitts, (SKNIS): The advancement of technology in schools across the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis has continued with the much anticipated distribution of laptops on October 29.
First and second formers were delighted to each receive new Dell 3330s with 13 inch screens and HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) Outputs, features that were not included in those previously distributed. It is the goal of the Ministry of Information of Technology to keep up-to-date with modern technology.
Minister of Information Technology Hon. Glenn Phillip, encouraged the students to use the laptops wisely.
“These laptops are not only for surfing social media websites; they should be used to do your research for whatever subject that you have to pursue,” Minister Phillip explained. “…The government of St. Kitts and Nevis is providing these tools and the network to facilitate your learning in the future. We expect, I expect a lot from you students… I want you to use it wisely. Do not smash it. This is an investment in the youth of this country.”
The Minister also stated that with the aid of this equipment and access to the World Wide Web students will be able to compete with fellow students around the world.
Hon. Nigel Carty, Minister of Education, made reference to the theme of this year’s Independence noting that it is a theme that transcends its original context as students would be able to achieve much more with the aid of the laptops.
“This year we celebrated Independence under the theme ‘Stability, Creativity, Prosperity Independence 30’,” Minister Carty noted. “It’s a theme that in my view really should be a theme for the entire year, if not, the entire existence of St. Kitts and Nevis. We believe that in order for our country to be continuously stable, we need young people like yourselves to go to school, learn well, use your creativity and use your talents so that you and others are prosperous.”
He added that the Government views part of the empowerment of young people is presenting to students tools like these modern laptops.
“This is for you, to empower you, to be able to express your creativity and to give you the tools that are required for your success as students and also as individuals in a wider context.”
Wi-Fi networks have also been installed in all schools which will enable students to access the internet outside of the classroom.