The first 11 schools to benefit from this initiative received their allocations at a presentation ceremony held today at the Hilton Kingston Hotel.  CWJ will also be offering free ADSL to the schools that are located in areas where the service is available.

In handing over the computers, CWJ's President and CEO Rodney Davis said the initiative is part of his Company's continuing commitment to lead the effort to bridge the digital divide within the country's education system.

Mr. Davis said, "To be honest, if I had to summarize the situation regarding the application of ICT in our schools I would have to admit that we are talking about two different worlds.  The first is a world where families and schools have the best in educational technology and the other is one in which access to ICT is a mere wish.  This does not have to be the situation."

"The promise and the possibilities of technology in education literally present limitless opportunities for students of all ages.  However, reaping the benefits of this new age requires an unswerving commitment by our country to close the wide gap that exists between those who have, and those who do not have these exciting tools for learning," he added.

The CWJ President also said "there is no question that ICT can become one of the greatest equalizers of opportunity since the first textbook was distributed in our nation's schools.  But a single computer in the principal's office won't allow kids to benefit from these learning technologies.  We need to get the technology to where kids learn -- in the classroom."

The first schools to receive computers are Highgate Primary & Junior High, Duncans All Age, St Ann's Bay Primary, Yallahs Primary, Chapelton All Age, Toll Gate All Age, Old Harbour Primary, New Forrest Primary & Junior High, Leeds All Age, Gaynstead High School and Whitfield All Age.

Each of the institutions chosen had a clear need for the assistance but had already demonstrated considerable initiative as most were attempting to set up computers labs and all expressed a willingness to use their own resources to create a suitable environment for the housing and use of the machines.

Through its Foundation, and in partnership with other organisations, Cable & Wireless Jamaica has provided hundreds of new and refurbished computers and other Internet access devices for various educational institutions in recent years.  The Cable & Wireless Jamaica Foundation (CWJF) also offers free Internet to all primary and high schools across the country and currently supplies this service to close to 400 schools at no charge.