Minister of Education, Rev Ronald Thwaites, said the ministry will continue to introduce age-appropriate learning technology in schools islandwide, including smart boards, tablet computers, virtual education, among others.

This, he said, is being undertaken in a bid to enhance and complement teaching methods in schools.

Thwaites was speaking at the official opening of an enrichment centre at Central Branch All-Age School in Kingston, on Tuesday.

The centre falls under an ongoing US$1.9-million enrichment programme between Digicel Foundation and the United States Agency for International Develop-ment (USAID), which commenced in 2013.

Relating to virtual education, the minister said the initiative, dubbed education broadcasting network (EBN), will deliver programmes for early childhood, primary and secondary-school students.

The materials include review exercises and quizzes relating to the grade-four literacy and numeracy test, as well as the grade-six achievement test (GSAT).

Under the initiative, the ministry is collaborating with the Universal Service Fund to afford content appropriate to the new curriculum and the development of the character of Jamaican youth.

The minister urged students to make the best use of the investment being offered to them as "education is the only legitimate means of upward mobility in the island".

Lauding the initiative, he commended the partnership between Digicel Foundation and USAID, noting that it will assist in implementing information and communications technology in schools.

"This is the stuff that will make young people have the knowledge base that will carry them anywhere in the world.

"Nobody can take away the skills and competence that they will get from the enrichment room experience.

"This is a permanent asset to all of us and all who will receive it," Thwaites said.

Chief executive officer, Digicel Jamaica, David Butler, said the programme started with 97 schools.

37,000 students

In total, 37,000 students are now implementing the enrichment programme with assistance from USAID.

In her remarks, mission director, USAID, Jamaica, Denise Herbol, said partnerships such as these are crucial in assisting the country's children to excel.