Former Minister of Education Proposes Full Integration of Technology in Education Reform Process

As the government goes about transforming the education system, former minister of education Ronald Jones has suggested that it should adopt an approach in which technology is fully integrated into the teaching and learning process.

Delivering the Astor B. Watts Lunchtime Lecture at the Democratic Labour Party headquarters in George Street, St Michael on Friday, Jones said technology would be a critical aspect of the reform process.

He said the COVID-19 pandemic underscored the need to have computerised systems in place to ensure they were accessible to all students.

“During the COVID-19 environment, we were caught with our pants literally down because we then realised that still a lot of our people didn’t have access to the Internet, and the State itself could not rise to meet the needs of disadvantaged children . . . . Therefore, there would have been a significant gap opened in the school system for those two or three years and it reflected, generally, in the quality of the exams,” Jones said.

The former educator said that going forward, each community, especially those with many children in need, should have WiFi hotspots.

“The government and the private sector of Barbados should create hotspots in disadvantaged locations in this country so that those who can’t afford to pay, [their children] can still benefit; it must be done,” he said, pointing out that modern styles of education involve virtual realities and simulation learning.

Jones added that in order to properly integrate the use of technology and reform the education system, the government would have to source millions of dollars. He suggested that the government assess its annual budget and cut back on those things that did not significantly contribute to national development.

“This process is going to cost [a lot] of money. They said that by December 2023 they would know how much [the education transformation process] would cost. I’m saying we will have a broad perspective but we are not going to know because you have not yet considered what are the things that will have to be put in place to achieve the results.

“So, it will cost [a lot] of money. Therefore, you will have to look at national wastage. There is a lot of national wastage and if you want to put more money in education, you will have to eliminate national wastage. In this country, there is [an excessive amount] of wastage, large amounts of duplication, large amounts of hiring people that have had no impact at all on Barbados . . . . [We are] wasting gallons of money and if we want to achieve student liberation, we have to [eliminate wastage].”

Jones also said attention must be placed on helping children improve their soft skills and environmental awareness. (SZB)