Education

Ministry of Education has done nothing yet to save Ashley’s Learning Center

Published

2 years ago

July 15, 2022

Deandrea Hamilton

By Dana Malcolm

Staff Writer

#TurksandCaicos, July 15, 2022 – Despite assurances to the public that they wanted the relationship between Ashley’s Learning Centre and the Ministry of Education to continue, when MM followed up with founder of the special needs school, Angela Williams, we learned still there has been no contact from Government to salvage the situation.

Rachel Taylor Minister of Education vowed, “The relationship between the government and Ashley’s Learning Centre will not end here.”

Taylor also referred to Williams as her ‘dear friend’ and said the government would not allow the school to close down.

These promises were made in a press conference on Friday. That conference was announced mere hours after Williams had her own press conference detailing the reasons she might close down. Ministry officials referred to specific parts of Williams’ presentation in their speeches but between watching her press conference and writing speeches to rebut her claims, delivering those speeches and making promises to keep the relationship between the two institutions alive, Williams says no one has picked up the phone to start the line of communication that could possibly rescue the relationship.

Williams has confirmed the closure of the centre explaining that she felt the damage done to her reputation during the Ministry’s press conference on Friday has likely destroyed any chance she would have had at securing private funding.

This is despite the government officials in that conference admitting that special needs in the Turks and Caicos is understaffed and as they cast doubt on their own capability to house the students from Ashley’s.

Related Topics:#ALC #AshleysLearningCenter #magneticmedianews #racheltaylor

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Senior Teacher Endorses Robot to Assist in Educating Infant and Primary School Students

Published

10 hours ago

April 18, 2024

Shanieka

KINGSTON, April 17 (JIS):

Senior Teacher at Alpha Infant School, Sabrina Raymond-Hunter, has endorsed the ‘ICHEETAH’ robot, a smart educational AI-powered tool that will advance the way young children learn and interact with technology.

The robot, developed by CHEETAH Toys and More, LLC, is designed to engage and educate children at the infant and early-primary levels of education in a fun and interactive manner, supporting their cognitive development and preparing them for future academic success.

Speaking at a Jamaica Information Service (JIS) Think Tank on April 16, Mrs. Raymond-Hunter recognised the potential of this cutting-edge technology and its ability to enhance the learning experience for young children.

“I am really excited about this product. I was able to get this into my classroom of 23 students and they are super excited about this. We have had it for three weeks and this is a game changer,” she said.

The Senior Teacher, who also serves as the school’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Designate, added that the students’ learning has been enhanced since incorporating the technology into her teaching.

“It has enhanced it a lot because you know the boys, especially, once they are happy and find something that is fun, they will want to do it. My boys started off a little bit rocky, but since they got this robot, they are spelling, identifying words and reading,” she noted.

Having yielded positive results from utilising the technology, Mrs. Raymond-Hunter is encouraging other schools who are not yet on board to do so.

“I’m encouraging all the other schools to get on board, and if for any reason you need a demonstration, come to Alpha. I’ll show you exactly how we use it to get our students on board and on level with everyone else. Learning should be fun, and with iCHEETAH it definitely is,” she shared.

The robot is outfitted with several interactive features, including voice recognition, games, and educational content, making learning engaging and exciting for young learners.

CONTACT: SHERIKA HALL

Caribbean News

HACKATHON TO EMPOWER CARIBBEAN GIRLS TO BECOME LEADERS IN STEM SECTOR

Published

3 days ago

April 16, 2024

Shanieka

KINGSTON, April 12 (JIS):

eLearning Jamaica Company Limited (e-LJAM) has partnered with local educational technology company, STEAMHouse, in hosting this year’s Crea+her Girls in ICT Hackathon, which began on April 11 and will end on April 16.

The virtual hackathon seeks to empower Caribbean girls aged 13 to 18 years to become leaders and accomplished professionals in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) industry.

Chief Executive Officer of e-LJAM, Andrew Lee, said the initiative allows participants to acquire skills through a hands-on approach.

“It is imperative that we actively engage girls to participate in STEM. Historically, girls have been under-represented in this field and, of course, this deprives us of diversity. Our females are extremely talented and when we include them, we get a broader perspective,” Mr. Lee told JIS News.

e-LJAM is the State agency with responsibility for promoting integration and infusion of technology in the public education system.

Founder of STEAMHouse, Godiva Golding, told JIS News that approximately 15 teams representing groups of three to five students signed up for the hackathon.

The participants are being guided to develop innovative solutions combining themes such as telecommunications, cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence, focusing on areas like education, environmental sustainability and preserving cultural heritage.

(more)

Hackathon to empower…2

Their prototypes will be evaluated on April 18 and the top-10 creations will be presented on April 25, which is being recognised as International Girls in ICT Day under the theme ‘Leadership’.

Ms. Golding is pleased to have e-LJAM as the title sponsor for the hackathon and other events around International Girls in ICT Day.

“We could not think of a better partner than e-LJAM. They have been at the forefront and have done great work over the years. Having a partner with the leadership of Mr. Lee on board is just the icing on top to ensure that this is a successful series of events,” Ms. Golding said.

A special school tour will also be conducted. At least 500 girls are expected to benefit from this programme, which will offer interactive sessions and networking opportunities with accomplished women leaders in the technology field.

Additionally, the participants will have the chance to develop vital skills, such as public speaking, strategic thinking, and confidence-building.

CONTACT: ROCHEDA BARTLEY

Caribbean News

Efforts to deliver education to Children in Haiti – Schools still closed

Published

5 days ago

April 14, 2024

Shanieka

Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer

#Haiti#Education, April 9, 2024 – With schools across Haiti still shut down due to intense gang violence, UNICEF is making efforts to deliver education to students, working with the Ministry of Education. They are trying to deliver distance learning through radio, television and e-learning platforms and right now, solutions are being explored through Haiti’s national radio station. Announced in a press release by UN News on April 7, this comes as UN agencies warned that Haitian children are suffering from not just a lack of education but also primary exposure to violence.