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Needy students to get tablets valued at $3.7 million

Published:Friday | November 26, 2021 | 8:25 AM
Bobby Adelson, public affairs officer US Embassy, Kingston, hands over the official cheque to Callia Smith, vice-president – programmes, Junior Achievement Jamaica, and Walric Peddie, president, Junior Achievement Jamaica.
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Bobby Adelson, public affairs officer US Embassy, Kingston, hands over the official cheque to Callia Smith, vice-president – programmes, Junior Achievement Jamaica, and Walric Peddie, president, Junior Achievement Jamaica.

The US Embassy has partnered with Junior Achievement Jamaica (JA Jamaica) to provide tablets for students in need at the primary- and high-school levels. This initiative, valued at J$3.7 million, is tied to two flagship programmes being led by JA Jamaica, namely, the JA BizTown Programme for primary schools and the Junior Achievement Company of Entrepreneurs (JACE) Programme for high schools.

JA BizTown combines in-class learning with a simulated work experience in a model town. It allows students to understand and carry out functionalities of a bank, manage businesses, act as consumers, and practise the roles and responsibilities of being a good citizen. It helps students connect the dots between what they learn in school and the operations in the world of work. Similarly, the JACE programme features a comprehensive hands-on approach to learning through interactive classroom activities and the actual start-up of student led entrepreneurial ventures. The programme provides useful, practical entrepreneurial content that equips students to become productive members of society who can create job opportunities and compete in the global economy.

Speaking on the partnership, The US Embassy’s Public Affairs Officer Bobby Adelson said, “The United States Government continues to support activities that foster prosperity and inclusive development for youth in Jamaica and throughout the region. We applaud Junior Achievement Jamaica on their continued effort to educate students on work readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy. We look forward to successful outcomes from our partnership.”

Students who are participating in these programmes and are without a proper device will be equipped with new tablets. The first distribution date is set for February 10, and will be incorporated with Jamaica’s National Careers Week, a week of activities centred around promoting and raising awareness on careers for young people. This event is facilitated through a collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, HEART NSTA Trust and Junior Achievement Jamaica.