Digital education company, EduFocal Limited, is partnering with the Jamaica Library Service (JLS) to establish learning centres across the JLS’ network.
The ceremony for the initiative was held on Thursday (August 11) at the Kingston and St. Andrew Parish Library’s Tom Redcam Drive location.
The partnership will include, but is not limited to, provision of free internet access and technical assistance for students who use the services of the JLS.
There will also be training of JLS staff members by EduFocal in the planning, preparation and delivery of learning activities for children at all learning centres.
In addition, EduFocal and its private sector partners will provide marketing, sponsorship and financial contribution to the improvement to the JLS.
An EduFocal representative will be assigned to each participating JLS location.
Education and Youth Miniister, Hon. Fayval Williams said the initiative will provide a safe, welcoming environment for students entering or using the JLS’ learning centres.
“Your commitment to invest in the development of libraries across the island is most appreciated. This partnership will enable more students and people from the wider community to have access to digital learning in a safe space,” she said.
“We expect to see an increase in the use of the libraries for research and other purposes,” she added.
Minister Williams said the JLS will also provide space for students to attend classes through the EduFocal Academy’s virtual school and other supplementary learning programmes.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO), EduFocal Limited, Gordon Swaby, said the initiative is intended to provide sustainable digital education support to Jamaican students.
“At EduFocal, we always want to be part of the solution. Our mission is to leverage technology to educate people wherever they are – school, home, or the workplace. We can add to those locations and say in partnership with the JLS we will be educating learners in libraries across Jamaica,” he said.
Mr. Swaby noted that under the initiative, several infrastructure improvement projects will also be undertaken.
Director-General, JLS, Maureen Thompson, who noted that the library service remains a critical partner in the national education drive, said the partnership will assist the JLS in its mandate to retool and reposition its libraries as focal points for information in the communities they serve.
“The JLS has always placed importance on digital literacy and training. We have been the forerunner in the provision of free access to computers and the internet in recognition that our [users] need technology to maximise their potential,” she said.
The JLS is comprised of 111 libraries, 334 mobile library stops, and 898 school libraries across 13 parishes.