Albion Primary and Mount Salem Primary and Infant schools in St. James have received a donation of tablet computers from the Chinese community in Jamaica.
Chinese Ambassador to Jamaica, His Excellency Chen Daojiang, made the presentations on Monday (February 3), on behalf of the Jamaica China Council for the Promotion of Peaceful National Reunification, at the Montego Bay Cultural Centre in Sam Sharpe Square.
Albion Primary got five devices, while Mount Salem Primary received six.
Principal of Albion Primary, Dr. Lorane Moodie-Reid, told JIS News that the items were deeply appreciated, noting that they will help to bridge the digital divide.
She informed that of the 553 students enrolled at Albion, approximately 20 per cent are still without a personal device.
“I’m feeling really pleased, and I’m sure that our children will benefit from the donation of the tablets. We are in a technologically advanced age and so our teachers do take the strategic approach in terms of using technology to teach,” she pointed out.
Student Leadership Coordinator at Mount Salem Primary and Infant, Yvonne Thompson-Kerr, who accepted the devices on the school’s behalf, said they will support learning.
She said that the new curriculum requires students to have access to digital devices for in-class learning and assignments.
“So, we are, indeed, grateful to the Chinese nationals for supporting us in this fashion… . This is of great help to us,” Mrs. Thompson-Kerr added.
The tablet donation was part of a visit to Montego Bay by the Chinese Ambassador, during which he paid a courtesy call to the city’s Mayor, Councillor Richard Vernon.
Ambassador Daojiang noted the growing partnership between Montego Bay and China, citing the establishment of sister-city relationships with Hangzhou, Zhuhai, and Yiwu.
He said that the Chinese community has played a key role in the development of Montego Bay in areas such as retail, construction and real estate.
“We believe that in the future we will have a broader space for co-operation, and we will work together to create more remarkable achievements,” the Ambassador said.
Mayor Vernon, for his part, underscored the long-standing contribution of the Chinese community to the city’s economic and cultural life.
He pointed out China’s role in the construction of the Montego Bay Convention Centre, the soon-to-be-opened Western Children and Adolescent Hospital, and the Montego Bay Perimeter Road project.
“Together, let us continue to embody the spirit of ‘out of many one people’, embracing our shared journey and celebrating the diversity that makes us strong. Let us look forward to a future where our communities continue to thrive together, honouring our cultural heritage and building a brighter tomorrow for all,” Mr. Vernon said.
