THE Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers' Association (TTUTA) and the National Parent-Teacher Association (NPTA) say they support the government’s plan to resume giving laptops to students entering secondary school.
However, they urged proper maintenance and sufficient training on how to use them.
The programme was first introduced during Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s last stint as prime minister under the People’s Partnership government (2010-2015).
Laptops were given to all students entering secondary school. In 2015, she revealed that her government distributed 95,000 laptops in total. Each laptop was valued at around $4,000.
During the UNC’s campaign in the run-up to the April 28 general election, Persad-Bissessar had said a UNC government would bring back the laptop distribution programme.
At her first post-Cabinet media press conference at the Red House on May 8, she confirmed it will return in September, the start of the new school term.
She said to this day, members of the public tell her the laptops they received during 2010-2015 are still working.
“It warms my heart, and I’m so proud of what we did…That was one of the best programmes.”
She told Education Minister Dr Michael Dowlath, “You have your job cut out. I want those laptops in time for the September school reopening.”
Under the former PNM administration, there was a laptop initiative devices were distributed to students who met the criteria of a means test. Students in forms five and six were not eligible for the device provision programme. According to the Ministry of Education, between 2020 and 2023, a total of 71,000 laptops and tablets were distributed to teachers and students.
TTUTA, NPTA welcome return
Speaking to Newsday on May 9, TTUTA’s first vice president Adesh Dwarika said given the digital direction CXC is headed towards, it is a welcome initiative.
In April, CXC said it was working with member countries to create a responsible generative artificial intelligence policy framework for the regional secondary education system.
It also announced that January exams will be offered online from 2026.
Dwarika said, “So obviously, if this is their direction, the students must be equipped with the proper tools for it. But there must also be proper maintenance. Lack of maintenance is one of the downfalls of almost everything the Ministry of Education does.”
He said laptops for teachers are also just as necessary and this should be looked at.
“The last set that was given had to be returned for technical difficulties and we did not really get to use them.”
He further stressed that internet access at both schools and students' homes will be necessary for the laptops to be used to their full potential.
NPTA president Walter Stewart told Newsday it is a "welcome and forward-looking move as students prepare for the digital world."
The re-introduction of laptops for first-form students is welcoming and forward-looking as students prepare for the digital world.
But he added, "This reintroduction should be premised on e
