More money for tablets

A $329 million-backed Serve Jamaica Digital Device Programme was announced on Wednesday by Finance Minister Dr Nigel Clarke to help students acquire tablets and computers.

Clarke, i n announcing the programme in Parliament, said each member of parliament will have up to $3 million to spend.

In addition, under the Social and Economic Recovery and Vaccine (SERVE) Jamaica digital device initiative, the Government of Jamaica will allocate $140 million for the purchase of devices for students identified by councillors.

Students who have already benefited from a similar government programme i n the past will not be eligible to participate in this programme.

“It is intended to supplement and complement the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information existing laptop digital device programme,” Clarke said, making it clear that this new programme was smaller in size.

He, however, noted that there are coverage issues that the Government is seeking to plug.

“Members of parliament and councillors know the students and families who are not enrolled in PATH, for instance, and others who for technical reasons wouldn’t even qualify but who are in every practical sense, in need of assistance,” the finance minister underscored.

The devices are to be procured by eLearning and the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service will make direct payment to the suppliers by instructions from the Accountant General’s Department.