Wheatley donates $3m towards St Catherine East Central learning hub

IN A move aimed at bolstering educational opportunities for young learners, five primary and infant schools in St Catherine East Central are set to benefit from enhanced access to the Learning Hub Digital Library.

Spearheaded by Dr Andrew Wheatley, the member of parliament (MP) for the constituency, the initiative received a significant boost with a personal allocation of $3 million, underscoring his commitment to fostering selfempowerment through education.

Addressing attendees including principals, grade-six teachers, and student representatives at the Homestead Primary and Infant School last Thursday, as the initiative was rolled out, Wheatley reiterated the significance of investing in education as a cornerstone of effective representation.

“Education is a critical part of how we approach representation,” Wheatley affirmed, highlighting the allocation of 40 per cent of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to educational initiatives.

“Oftentimes we hear people clamouring for infrastructure development, business assistance, you name it. And, while all that is good, we often neglect something that is more self-empowering and that is education,” he argued.

“I must add that this funding of $3 million did not come from my CDF but a personal allocation from me,” the MP noted.

Dr Shalette Ashman, an educational technologist and e-learning expert who introduced the Caribbean-based learning and test preparation system, said the e-Learning Hub Digital Library was born out of the idea or enabling access to thousands of interactive books.

Ashman, whose expertise in educational technology has garnered acclaim, pointed out the importance of providing students with access to a comprehensive digital library aligned with the curriculum, enabling them to master key concepts from primary school to Caribbean Advancer Proficiency Examination level.

“We don’t just want them to have access to books, but books that follow the curriculum, and this digital library follows the curriculum to the tee,” she stressed.

Echoing Wheatley’s sentiments, Ash man emphasis ed the motivational aspect of digital learning, noting that the interactive nature of the platform enhances student engagement and productivity. Following a live demonstration, educators lauded the digital library for its comprehensiveness and relevance to exam preparation.

Vice Principal Lorna Gray Smith praised the initiative, expressing enthusiasm for its potential to augment students’ learning experiences.

“It will be very instrumental… I can’t wait to run with it,” Smith remarked, highlighting the resource’s coverage of exam-relevant areas.

Principal Sophia Deer highlighted the collaborative efforts of stakeholders, noting the support from Digicel Foundation in retrofitting a smart room at Homestead Primary School.

Noting it was equipped with essential technology including laptops, tablets, and a smart board with internet access, Deer said, “The smart room reflects a concerted effort to integrate technology into the learning environment.”

With the Learning Hub Digital Library accessible 24 hours a day and seven days a week on various devices, including smartphones, laptops, and tablets, students across the Caribbean are poised to benefit from this innovative educational resource. With more than 150,000 users to date, the platform’s widespread adoption underscores its potential to transform learning outcomes and empower the next generation of learners.

The other schools to benefit are McCooks Pen, St Johns, and McCauley primary schools.