One Device Per Child

One Device Per Child

Carlette DeLeon
Tech

Reality check: Over 100K students are unable to access education in part because they do not have a suitable device.

Proposed solution: The Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, on Thursday (October 29), officially launched its ‘One Laptop or Tablet Per Child’ initiative, which is designed to promote inclusivity in the education sector as reported by the Jamaica Information Service.

As part of the broader Tablets in Schools programme already underway for the past two years, the Ministry of Education has identified a staggering 100K children in need of learning hardware.  Both the private sector and private citizens are on board with helping underprivileged children access quality education.  

PHOTO: RUDRANATH FRASERMinister of Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Fayval Williams (second left), hands over a tablet to student of Jones Town Primary School, Jeneece Allen (second right), during a presentation ceremony at the institution on …

PHOTO: RUDRANATH FRASER

Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Fayval Williams (second left), hands over a tablet to student of Jones Town Primary School, Jeneece Allen (second right), during a presentation ceremony at the institution on Tuesday (October 20). Sharing the moment are Chief Executive Officer, e-Learning Jamaica Company Limited, Keith Smith (left), and Member of Parliament, St. Andrew South, Mark Golding.

But with so many options, how do you know what to buy?  The Ministry has as a site for that!

Online Resource

In partnership with the National Education Trust, the Ministry has provided some clear minimum requirements for all tablet computers indented for use by children in the local system.  Some of these specs include:

  • 8-10 inches or larger

  • 1024 x 768 or higher screen resolution

  • 2 MP or higher front camera and 5 MP or higher rear camera

  • Android 8.1 or higher

  • 802.11N 

  • 1.2 GHz

  • 32GB

  • Micro SD card slot 

  • USB micro or USB C connector

  • 35 mm audio port

  • Case and integrated keyboard

Android tablets are recommended because the GOJ used Google Classroom as its digital learning platform though iOS devices like the Apple iPad could work too.  

Tablet Options

Private citizens and companies looking to score devices could choose the inexpensive yet relatively powerful Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 for roundabout US$150 each.  You’ll have to pay a bit more for the 4G version to access internet data services.  Reviewers suggest that the tablet offers relatively goof battery life and support for multitasking.  This is especially good since children have to navigate multiple apps at once in one learning session.  

Since it runs on Android, students have easy access to Google Classroom and the Google Play store.  It’s this access that makes the Samsung a better option that the arguably cheaper Amazon Kindle Fire with similar specs and prices.

Another option is the Logic T10B. Though slightly less accessible, the tablet ships with a built-in keyboard and hits all the specs.

Persons interested in making monetary donations may do so through the Jamaica Social Stock Exchange and click “One Laptop or Tablet Per Child Initiative”.

For overseas donors sending devices, they should use the Guidelines for Donating through NET. This will ensure that waivers are applied once the devices arrive in Jamaica.

Feel moved to gift a tablet for a deserving child?  That’s great.  Please just ensure that the device you give if fit to purpose.

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