EXISTING CLASSROOMS WILL BE RETROFITTED INTO SMART CLASSROOMS.
The Government of Taiwan is partnering with the Department of Education, Innovation and Gender Relations in outfitting schools for the technological era.
The Embassy of Taiwan is providing EC$2.5 million for the retrofitting of existing classrooms into SMART classrooms, reflecting the integration of information and communications technologies into the education system.
The SMART Classrooms Project was launched at the Patricia D James Secondary School on Feb. 24. The Department of Education aims to equip all schools with SMART classrooms so that the students can begin to experience 21st century learning and teaching.
Acting Principal at the Patricia D James Secondary School, Mr Peter Louisy said the aim of every school is to nurture smart citizens.
“What better way to achieve this objective by creating a SMART classroom environment. As we’re aware, SMART classrooms are technologically enhanced to foster opportunities for teaching and learning by integrating computers, specialized software, audience response technology, assistive listening devices, networking and audio/visual capabilities. With the COVID-19 virus which now confronts us the use of technology has taken the lead in the teaching and learning process.”
Permanent Secretary in the Department of Education, Innovation and Gender Relations, Michelle Charles, expressed gratitude to the Government of Taiwan for its continued investment in Saint Lucia.
“Occasions such as these really show that we are moving in the right direction and these actions are well aligned with the vision of the department. At the Department of Education we have a broad ecosystem of e-education of which the SMART Classrooms Project is one component. The environment in which we are working is changing, it’s not education of instruction as we knew it before. Sometimes we find persons among us who are a bit averse to embracing the technology, but when we move forward, when we provide the devices and the necessary infrastructure that teachers can use, it shows that the Ministry is really prepared to help them move in the right direction.”
Taiwan’s Ambassador to Saint Lucia, His Excellency Peter Chen, said the ICT in Education Project “is a significant initiative implemented by the Government of Taiwan in Saint Lucia, to build SMART classrooms that empower teachers and students by embedding ICT in teaching and learning experiences. There are many development priorities for a country, but Education is of paramount importance.”
Chief Education Officer in the Department of Education, Innovation and Gender Relations Dr. Fiona Mayer, echoing the sentiments of His Excellency Peter Chen, indicated that “ICT in Education is a tool that we cannot move away from, that our students need in order to function as global citizens. I do not want us to think of it only as a gift rather, as a necessity that we appreciate and will utilize effectively, respectfully and ensure that it comes back to add value to the lives of the students entrusted into our care at the Patricia D James Secondary School,” she said.
The acronym SMART stands for the setting of goals that are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely.
