UJAA’s Commitment to Provide Devices for Students Continues

186 Learnit Tablets for Primary Schools

The Union of Jamaican Alumni Associations (USA) Inc., (UJAA), continues to keep pace with the needs of students in Jamaica, this time with the primary schools across the island.

The realization that devices would become the latest addition to school requirements lists, probably replacing pencils and notebooks, dawned in early 2021 when the COVID-19 pandemic was affecting every facet of learning and teaching globally. Several shipments began to arrive in Kingston, compliments of the alumni association members of the UJAA. That clearly is the worldwide trend for the foreseeable the future with respect to early childhood and primary education which will inevitably encompass all levels of the education system.

“That our youngsters must be prepared,” is the contention of both Immediate Past President Lesleyann Samuel and recently elected President Donovan Wilson, supported by the sixty-three (63) member associations that now include ten primary schools.

On October 22, members gathered to pack and send off 186 Learnit Tablets to stakeholders the Jamaica Teachers’ Association. These devices are part of an ambitious program to get Learnit tablets into primary schools in all 14 parishes.

Distribution will be made to two schools in each parish where tablets do not currently exist, and each school will receive 10 tablets. The shipment includes 46 devices that will be distributed as part of UJAA’s Adopt-A-Primary-School Pilot program of 4 primary schools,  as well as those won by several teachers who attended the Jamaica Diaspora Education Task Force (JDETF) Advancement in Education Summit in New York in March 2022.

Speaking outside the offices of Econocaribe Shipping Company in Queens, UJAA Primary Schools Committee Chair, Evelyn Godden, the President of New Day Alumni Association, spoke of the developing initiative and collaboration with the Jamaica Teachers’ Association.

“There is a wonderful partnership evolving with UJAA and primary schools in Jamaica, with UJAA committed to supporting them in the use of Learnit tablets.” The devices are produced by Caribbean eBook LTD. The company president, Joel Webbe, emphasized that “the devices are manufactured with over 180 full version hands-on education applications to function without the internet.” This is a significant feature of Learnit.”  Learn more at www.tldlearnit.com .

With the assistance of stakeholder the Jamaica Teachers Association, rollout of the program took take place during the week of January 9, 2023 with representatives from UJAA and Caribbean eBook LTD present.