– first batch of recipients receive laptops
THE One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) Secretariat today commenced distribution of laptops in Region 3 with 65 residents from Pouderoyen/Versailles catchment receiving their laptops, and subsequently starting their training sessions at their respective training hubs. In November, 1000 Guyanese became the first batch to receive their laptops from former President Bharrat Jagdeo.
Within the last six weeks, about 7981 laptops were distributed through 67 hubs spread across the country. The OLPF programme which was initiated by former President Bharrat Jagdeo last January targets 90,000 families and has the ultimate goal of ensuring that all Guyanese have access to Information Communication Technology (ICT) thereby transforming Guyana into one of the most computer literate countries.
At yesterday’s distribution, at the West Demerara Secondary school, Minister of Housing and Water, Irfaan Ali and Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Ganga Persaud visited the distribution site to observe the process and interact with the beneficiaries.
While addressing the gathering, Minister Ali acknowledged that while the distribution process seems to be simple there are a lot of developmental issues, benefits and linkages that the OLPF project brings to the communities. In this regard, he stressed the importance of government explaining the various stages of the project’s development, expectations, outcomes and benefits the project brings to households and communities.
Minister Ali emphasised that the project is the materialization of a promise made by government to pursue advancements in the ICT sector to ensure that a greater majority of citizens have access to the internet, computers and become computer literate. He pointed out that being computer literate is important in the modern world since many opportunities are easily accessible.
Minister Ali added that the OLPF project is linked to a broader programme of the government and that is to work on expanding education through the internet. The minister was referring to the expansion of distance and online education.
He explained that while some people have already received their laptops others ought not to feel that they will not get theirs because the systems can only be distributed as they are delivered by the supplier. All those persons captured in the first phase of the project can expect to receive their laptops.
Minister Ali recognised that there are some persons who misrepresent information so that they qualify as a beneficiary of the project, hence to strengthen the transparency and accountability process the names of all those who would have collected computers are publicly advertised.
Minister Persaud expressed appreciation for the residents’ response to the OLPF project which has to date seen them receiving their laptops.
He noted that the laptop is a gift to the family hence it should be taken care of and used to acquire the maximum benefits particularly for the family.
As it relates to the training component of the project, Minister Persaud encouraged the beneficiaries to attend the classes and to follow the directions given. He added that as the recipients go back to their respective communities they will evoke a lot of responses of happiness and displeasure however, arguments must not be encouraged instead the process should be explained so that they too can benefit from the programme. He reiterated that this is not the final distribution for this community.
Regional Chairman – Region 3, Julius Faerber noted that the exercise is a good one since the world today is moving towards being a more technological one and people need to be onboard so that they can function adequately.
The first batch of 5,000 laptops arrived in Guyana in October thereby paving the way for Guyanese to start receiving their laptops and commence training. Over 7,000 have already been given out.