Chantelle Jacob of Laventille receives a new laptop computer from Laventille West MP, Ni Leung Hypolite Thursday at the MP's constituency office Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar is standing by her position of giving a free laptop computer for all children beginning high school next week.
That was one of her principal pledges during the general election campaign earlier this year and she has moved to fulfill the promise with the purchase of 24,000 HP computers for TT$83 million.
She told reporters in Tobago Thursday every child deserves access to the technology of the modern age.
"For those who are of the view that these laptops are going to damage children, these laptops are going to make them more violent, these laptops will do all manner of evil, I want to ask those persons, these naysayers, how is it that when parents can afford to give their child a laptop nothing is wrong with them?" Persad-Bissessar asked.
She added, "With the greatest of respect, I've heard the concerns of some of John Public but I am determined (that) one day in this land every single student will have a computer."
She said it is the natural progression. "When we began school we had a slate... then we had copy books, today's age is the computer so let us please give all our children an equal chance."
She said Government will review the policy and process as the laptops are distributed. And she directly addressed the children.
"Children, if you are listening, every single Form One child is going to get a laptop and that includes Tobago. I have been told that there were people in Tobago saying no laptops for children in Tobago.
"If I have to come and hand the students the laptops myself I am going to come here if that becomes necessary.Tobago must rise with Trinidad as well," Persad-Bissessar said.
That was one of her principal pledges during the general election campaign earlier this year and she has moved to fulfill the promise with the purchase of 24,000 HP computers for TT$83 million.
She told reporters in Tobago Thursday every child deserves access to the technology of the modern age.
"For those who are of the view that these laptops are going to damage children, these laptops are going to make them more violent, these laptops will do all manner of evil, I want to ask those persons, these naysayers, how is it that when parents can afford to give their child a laptop nothing is wrong with them?" Persad-Bissessar asked.
She added, "With the greatest of respect, I've heard the concerns of some of John Public but I am determined (that) one day in this land every single student will have a computer."
She said it is the natural progression. "When we began school we had a slate... then we had copy books, today's age is the computer so let us please give all our children an equal chance."
She said Government will review the policy and process as the laptops are distributed. And she directly addressed the children.
"Children, if you are listening, every single Form One child is going to get a laptop and that includes Tobago. I have been told that there were people in Tobago saying no laptops for children in Tobago.
"If I have to come and hand the students the laptops myself I am going to come here if that becomes necessary.Tobago must rise with Trinidad as well," Persad-Bissessar said.
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