by Curlan Campbell, NOW Grenada
- 8 schools and 1 community centre receive computers from People’s Republic of China
- Computers will improve education delivery
The Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) Electronic Testing Services launched in 2017 means that schools in Grenada and the region must stay abreast with innovation in ICT to improve education delivery.
It is with this in mind the People’s Republic of China has seen it fit to help strengthen ICT development throughout the nation’s schools.
On Tuesday, 15 January 2019, Chargé d’Affaires of the People’s Republic of China to Grenada, Yang Shijun presented 70 Lenovo computers valued at EC$210,000 to 8 schools.
“Education is the foundation of a country’s development, and cooperation in the field of education is an indispensable part of the all-round cooperation of China and Grenada. It is not difficult to find out that Dr the Rt. Hon. Keith Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada, attaches great importance to the development of education, taking it as the foundation of national development and key to youth development. This coincides with China’s historical philosophy of attaching importance to education,” said Shijun.
Shijun noted that both countries have a long-standing cordial relationship in which Grenada benefitted tremendously from assistance in the development of infrastructure but most importantly through the granting of scholarship for Grenadians to study in China.
“Since the resumption of China-Grenada diplomatic ties 14 years ago, 1,884 Grenadians have been awarded scholarships or training programme opportunities. This is a really surprising number, accounting for 1.7% of the Grenada population. Up to now, China has provided more than US$66 million to help develop Grenada education. Solely in 2018, 374 persons have been given the opportunities to attend short-term training courses, both in China and Grenada. And 32 students were awarded the Chinese Government scholarships or other special scholarships to further their studies.”
Minister for Education, Human Resource Development and Religious Affairs, Emmalin Pierre, who stated that the donation is quite timely since information technology is essential for a modern economy.
“I give assurance we will put all of these devices into good use especially as it relates to CXC’s E-testing Computer-aided Design in the technical drawing area, the Electronic Document Preparation and Management (EDPM) and information technology among other areas. These computers will also serve to increase access to students who depend on the resources provided at their schools here again these computers support governments efforts and ensuring that the vulnerable among us have access to basic amenities and services.”
Peter David, Foreign Affairs Minister, welcomed the immense contribution that China has afforded Grenada and hopes that this will continue.
“In education, we have seen a scholarship and equipment transfer and that’s the kind of cooperation that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomes, because while the People’s Republic of China has done much to help in our development process, they have done nothing to interfere in our internal affairs or to request of us to do anything that is inimical to our own development.”
Recipients of the computers are:
- St George – Anglican High School
- St Andrew – Grenada Christian Academy
- St Mark -St Mark’s Secondary School
- St John – St John Christian Secondary School
- St Patrick – Mt Rose SDA Comprehensive School
- Carriacou – Bishop’s College & Hillsborough Secondary
- St David – Westerhall Secondary School
- Telescope Community Centre.
