Caribbean News Now!

By Nerissa Golden

BRADES, Montserrat (GIU) -- The premier of Montserrat Reuben Meade last week handed over the first of 400 laptops purchased as part of the Laptops for Students programme announced earlier this year.

The handover was made at the commemoration of Montserrat’s first National ICT Day on Monday, September 17 and the launch of the National ICT Strategy and Implementation Plan initiated by the Ministry of Communications and Works in 2010 and designed with the strategic support of the Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU).

During the brief ceremony, the premier also presented LIME country manager Joseph Cassell with a check for more than $700,000 to cover the cost of the 400 laptops purchased to be given to students and teachers at the Montserrat Secondary School.

The premier said that the intent was not to give them away free of cost as that would not encourage pride of ownership in the students. Government is covering 60% of the cost of the laptops while parents/students will be asked to cover the balance of about EC$800, which can be paid off over an 18-month period to the telecoms company.

“For those who say even paying $12 a week is too much, we will find work for the children to allow them to pay for the laptop,” the premier said.

The Ministry of Education is to develop a plan around which the laptops can be incorporated into the school curriculum.

Meade has been championing an increased use of ICT tools to improve government efficiency and to create new business opportunities for residents. Earlier this year, all legislative members and senior civil servants were also given iPads, which they could purchase on a payment plan to encourage the reduction in the use of paper.

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