Tobago has embarked on a significant digital education transformation with the commencement of laptop distributions to first-year secondary students across three institutions: Mason Hall Secondary, Roxborough Secondary, and Harmon’s School of Seventh Day Adventists. The initiative, dubbed ‘Learning Without Limits – A Laptop for Every Child,’ represents a major step in modernizing the island’s educational landscape.
Education Minister Dr. Michael Dowlath confirmed during the December 1st distribution ceremony at Mason Hall Secondary that all Tobago first-form students would receive their specialized learning devices by the end of the week. These laptops feature integrated artificial intelligence capabilities specifically designed for educational purposes.
The program, which originated from Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s vision in 2010, marks one of the Caribbean’s pioneering efforts to digitize education systems. Minister Dowlath highlighted the collaborative effort involving multiple government ministries and AI specialists that enabled the procurement and distribution of 18,000 laptops nationwide.
THA Education Secretary Zorisha Hackett emphasized the transformative potential of the devices, stating they represent ‘possibility for discovery, curiosity, and ambition’ that extends learning beyond traditional classroom boundaries. The laptops are intended to provide equal learning opportunities and prepare students for navigating an increasingly digital world.
The AI functionality, demonstrated during the ceremony, operates under strict protocols limited exclusively to teaching Mathematics and English Language, ensuring focused educational application without external distractions. Tobago MPs Joel Sampson (West) and David Thomas (East) attended the event, underscoring the initiative’s significance for the island’s educational development.