THE distribution of the last batch of laptops to teachers under the One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) project is expected to commence next month.The Guyana Chronicle asked Technical Adviser to the Minister of Education Vincent Alexander about the status of the project that is now adopted by the present administration, and he said that distribution of those laptops to teachers and academic achievers should begin next month.
Weeks ago, at a press briefing, Minister of Governance Raphael Trotman said the rationale behind government’s move to channel these laptops to teachers was to properly equip them with the instruments to deliver the curriculum in a more “electronic” manner, given Guyana’s current technological position, which is backward.
Education Minister Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine in recognising this pitfall said too that the system needs to be equipped with new technologies for Guyana to see an actual revolution in terms of education delivery.
The government has therefore taken this into consideration and decided to push for technological advancement in schools, starting with making laptops available to teachers so they can provide firsthand information to students, rather than relying solely on textbooks.
The laptops will be distributed to teachers, beginning with those at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) as they are being trained to become professional teachers.
“We [Government] do want to emphasise teachers. I believe in the first instance we would like to target teachers that are currently at the CPCE [and] those that are perhaps pursuing degrees and diplomas at the University of Guyana and we will roll it out from there,” Trotman said.
Meanwhile, teachers are upbeat about the government’s intention to provide them with laptops. Many have deemed the initiative “laudable” and suggested that the government should ensure availability of internet access once the distribution is done.
The One Laptop Per Family project was one of the many projects initiated by the former administration. Minister of State Joseph Harmon has indicated that the project was stalled and is now linked with the E-Governance Project at which approximately 12 OLPF staff members will be employed.
The possibility exists, however, that government would modify the One Laptop Per Family programme to a One Laptop Per Teacher initiative.