Food for the Poor (FFTP) recently donated a number of computer systems to the Ministry of Education for Information Technology training for students at schools in Regions Three, Four, Five and Six.

The systems will be installed in schools in depressed communities which have been targeted for skills development in keeping with the ministry’s five-year strategic plan for 2008-2013. A Government Information Agency (GINA) press release said the Supply Primary, Plaisance Primary, St Winefride’s Secondary and Ascension and Wales Community High schools are set to benefit from the more than 20 systems donated.

Minister of Education Shaik Baksh who received the systems on behalf of the ministry said it would receive donations from the Diaspora. “Last year we received about 500 computers in Canada and the USA, this year we expect to surpass that number. We will be working with a number of NGOs overseas so I’m happy that Food for the Poor has now become a part of the donor group to assist the ministry in achieving this goal,” he said.

The ministry has installed computer laboratories in 14 schools under its ‘Success Maker’ programme. Baksh said this programme has enhanced the learning capabilities of students and is the reason why the programme was extended to 40 more schools. “We have received the funding and now in the process of procuring those computers,” he said. The minister also said the systems from FFTP will boost teaching and learning particularly in literacy and numeracy. Baksh also said the ministry is committed to providing the necessary support services to the schools. “We are working with the schools to ensure that they prepare the area for the installation of these computers and they will be given technical assistance,” he said.

Meanwhile, FFTP Chairman Paul Chan-a-Sue noted that the world is rapidly becoming computerized and Guyana cannot afford to be left behind. He said the one training computer system comprises one Central Processing Unit (CPU), seven monitors, seven keyboards and other necessities. The systems were designed solely for the purpose of training. The main CPU feeds directly to the other six units. The teacher or instructor can then assign a task to all six monitors or individual tasks to each of the students. According to GINA, over the years FFTP has assisted the ministry with necessary school supplies including furniture and books. In addition to the computer systems, the organisation will also donate school furniture (combination chairs and cupboards) to schools across the country to complement the existing seating arrangements, at an estimated cost of $800,000.