B.T.L. provides rural schools with computers, internet …
When it comes to the concept of computers and internet in the classroom, please pardon our scepticism … as viewers may recall the false hopes raised by the failed Intelco experience. But the 2006 version, as presented by Belize Telecommunications Limited, though more limited in scope, seems to be better wired to reality. News Five’s Janelle Chanona reports.
Janelle Chanona, Reporting
This morning six primary schools, one from each district, were awarded four computers as part of B.T.L.?s Internet to Schools Programme.
The donation includes high speed internet connection for a year and machine maintenance from H2Tech. According to B.T.L. Executive Committee Chairman, Dean Boyce, the initiative emerged from the company?s controversial annual general meeting in September. Instead of free gifts and drinks, shareholders voted to put the money to better use.
Dean Boyce, Chairman, B.T.L. Executive Committee
?We took the money, it amounts to about thirty thousand dollars in total, a combination of the savings from the A.G.M. and additional contributions that we?ll be making in the coming year.?
Janelle Chanona
?I know there are plenty of deserving schools out there, can schools contact B.T.L. and try to get onboard with this programme or it is more structured??
Dean Boyce
?This particular one was a one off purchase of computers. For internet what we were trying to do was talk to the government about a range of issues which would include expanding internet for schools across the whole country, which would include all the primary schools. We haven?t concluded those discussions yet so it won?t be appropriate for schools to contact us just yet. But we know where they are all are and we will find them as soon as we can.?
To date, thirty-six secondary institutions benefit from B.T.L.?s Internet to Schools initiative but today Mary Hill RC, Trial Farm Government, Bethel Primary, St. Matthews Government, Zion Adventist and Toledo?s Bethel S.D.A. became the first six primary schools to log on.
Aviceli Nah, Principal, Trial Farm Government School
?As you all know the benefits to being exposed to computer technology are many, and you can be sure that the lives of those that you will touch with this great gift will have many rewards. One of them being better computer skills and educated Belizeans.?
Ann Zuniga, Principal St. Matthews Government School
?We have spoken to the students and they are all excited, because what we have found out is that some students who are in high school presently are having problems with computer and again, these computers that we have gotten will really enhance the learning of our students.?
Reporting for News Five, I am Janelle Chanona.
