Smart nation

Savenaca Vakaliwaliwa , Delta, BC, Canada

The FijiFirst Government wanted Fiji to be a smart nation and the recent announcement by the Minister of Education for the introduction of electronic tablets in schools next year (FS 7/9) means we are really serious in our venture to be smart and be on par with the world.

Students who do not have electricity will miss out but the majority will have an advantage as all the textbooks, notes, assignments, teacher’s instructions etc could be accessed on the tablet. People will respond saying on one hand students are being encouraged to read books and now, forget the books, just stay glued and read it on your tablet. How many of us are getting sore eyes from watching and reading the screen of our computers for a long period of time? How many parents and guardians are currently having problems with the concentration levels of their children as they seem to have their eyes glued to their mobile phones? What is the cost to the student to maintain the tablet every month in top ups, and replacement if it is lost or stolen?

What guarantee is there that this electronic tablet will be strictly controlled and blocked from accessing unsuitable sites?

It is good that the incentive will start with Year 12 and 13 students next year and we will actually know by then, if the tablet is an asset or a curse for some families.