Samples of the 6500 laptop computers could be given to schools mid-September

St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas (left) and Minister of Technology, Hon. Glenn Phillip (photo by Erasmus Williams)

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, SEPTEMBER 5TH 2010 (CUOPM) – Samples of the 6,500 laptops earmarked for high school students in St. Kitts and Nevis, will be given to schools when Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas and his Cabinet make their annual visit to schools as part of the Independence Anniversary celebrations.

Minister of Information, Sen. the Hon. Nigel Carty said Prime Minister Douglas and Minister of Technology Hon. Glenn Phillip made a presentation to the Cabinet on the so-called One-to-One Laptop Project.

He said Cabinet was informed that a state of the art computer has been finally selected as the device of choice for the project.

“Sample computers of the kind have been ordered and the ministers have promised that during their visits to schools this coming Independence season, they would wish to present these samples to the schools,” Minister Carty disclosed.

He said the manufacturer has been requested to produce a customized version of the device that uses anti-theft GPS technology and other security features.

“The government is concerned about possible theft of the computers from the students, and has insisted that that security features be embedded in the hardware of these computer systems to reduce that possibility. Other concerns include proper care and maintenance of the systems, and a comprehensive policy is being elaborated to address these issues,” said Minister Carty in a Post Cabinet Briefing.

He said that the One-to-One Laptop Project will be rolled out in three phases given the approximately 6,500 laptop computers that have to be custom-manufactured to meet the specific objectives.