A Smart Classroom was commissioned on Thursday at the Leonora Secondary School in Region Three, Essequibo Islands-West Demerara and is the first such in the region.
A Ministry of Education release stated that Minister of Education, Priya Manickchand, who commissioned the Smart Classroom was “extremely” pleased given that it was the first of its kind in Region Three. She inform-ed that additional smart classrooms will be install-ed at other identified schools in the region such as the West Demerara Secondary School, the Parika-Salem Secondary School, and Leguan Secondary School.
Manickchand explained that in cases where some schools do not have a specialist teacher in a particular subject area, a teacher from the Leonora Secondary School can assist those students by conducting lessons virtually without having to travel to the other school that needs his or her tutelage. She added that teachers will be trained to use the facility.
The minister reminded that there have been many initiatives to incorporate Information Technology into the classroom but not many of those projects were taken seriously enough to put the education sector in a position to deliver education online when the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
However, she commended those teachers that stepped up to the challenge during the pandemic and managed to teach their students virtually. She acknowledged that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused the Ministry of Education to “regroup” and ensure that systems are put in place to have as many children as possible engaged during this time.
Regional Chairman of Region Three, Inshan Ayube, who was present at the commissioning stated that the teachers and students need to grasp the opportunity and utilise the facility to its fullest. He assured that the Regional Democratic Council will work “assiduously” to ensure programmes and policies are being executed in the region in an accountable manner.
Regional Education Officer of Region Three, Devindra Persaud, said that the smart classroom has come at a time when the region needs such a facility. He added that it will not only enhance the way teachers teach but also how students learn.
He assured those in attendance that the classroom will be taken care of and used for its intended purpose.
Systems Development Coordinator, Godfrey Munroe, spoke of the unlimited possibilities with utilising the smart classroom. He said that the facility will allow for technology-infused learning and that teachers of all subject areas can use the classroom to their advantage.
Munroe also noted that it is a great opportunity and that the Management Information Systems Unit (MISU) of the Ministry of Education will continue to work with the school to ensure the facility is used efficiently.
Following the commissioning, attendees were treated to a demonstration of the way the smart classroom will work.
Just last week, the Ministry of Education commissioned smart classrooms at the Brickdam Secondary School and the East Ruimveldt Secondary School. All classrooms will have an interactive board, a television that allows teachers and students to connect remotely, and motion and voice-activated cameras complete with a face recognition feature, the release added.
