New Amsterdam Primary gets IT lab

DPI, Guyana, Friday, February 8, 2019

Students of the New Amsterdam Primary School have joined the technology wave with the advent of a new Information Technology (IT) Lab in the school.

The lab which consists of twelve computers and accompanying accessories is estimated to cost $2M and will serve all students from Grades 2 to 6.

This initiative is in keeping with the Ministry of Education’s push for a developed integration of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics and Spirituality (STEAMS) subject areas within the school curriculum.

Minister of Education, Dr. Nicolette Henry commissioned the lab on Thursday and during brief remarks reiterated the need for improved computer usage and knowledge from a very young age to inspire creativity in young minds and to expose students to a wider world of possibilities.

“Given where you are in the 21st century, and you are Primary School students, we have to ensure that you are well equipped and that you are given the resources and the support to get a good education. And part of that is to have access to computers, and so you have to have a computer lab in order to be able to be proficient in [its use] and to understand technology,” Minister Henry said.

Senior Master of the New Amsterdam Primary School, Leroy Mickle is confident that the students will develop a greater love for technology with the increased use of the IT lab. Mickle said the aim is to have the students participating in the ever-evolving technological age.

“Here at New Amsterdam Primary, we want the children to be afforded all the opportunities that they can get. And we find that with technology and with the new lab, they would be able to get a better hands-on experience in the way in which the country is moving towards STEAMS and robotics, we want them to be a part of it.”

The programmes the children will be exposed to over a number of years range from foundation level courses to uses of computer programmes and beginner’s robotics.

The Ministry of Education is committed to fulfilling its mission statement in all ten Administrative Regions in Guyana – “Eliminating illiteracy, modernising education and strengthening tolerance.”

Nateshia Isaacs.

Images: Marceano Narine.

CATEGORIES
TAGS