Distribution of netbooks for Secondary school students commences

The distribution of netbooks to secondary school students under the government’s ‘one laptop per child initiative’ began yesterday, Monday October 17.{{more}}

Speaking at a public meeting at Biabou on Sunday, October 16, Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves said the distribution of some 2,672 computers was expected to begin yesterday to first form students and their teachers.

Distribution was expected to run until October 26, the prime minister said.

Students at the Mountain View Seventh Day Adventist Academy, the St. Joseph’s Convent Marriaqua, the Emmanuel High School, Mesopotamia and the West St. George Secondary School were expected to be among the first to receive their netbooks yesterday.

Meanwhile, Gonsalves urged all students to take care of the computers; he also encouraged parents to attend the meetings, so that they too, will learn how to take care of the devices.

The prime minister also said that there had been reports that some of the laptops already distributed to primary school children had been damaged.

“All these are challenges that we have to deal with,” the prime minister said.

The distribution of laptops to students in grades 2 to 5 of primary schools officially started on April 29 this year, and was completed by the end of last term.(DD)