One hundred and sixty-eight Form One students at the Penal Secondary School were the first to receive their government-issued laptops on Thursday as part of the Ministry of Education’s “Learning Without Limits: A Laptop for Every Child” initiative.
Fulfilling a key UNC campaign commitment, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and Education Minister Dr. Michael Dowlath officially launched the first phase of the programme, which will see 18,000 AI-enabled laptops distributed to students nationwide.
Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar described the devices as a lifelong investment, one she is confident the children of Trinidad and Tobago will use wisely.
“2010 to 2015, when we gave out the laptops, up to today I meet young men and women—they are no longer children—that we gave the laptops to, and they say, ‘I still have this laptop.’ So think about it: you can have it down the road, you can have it further down. Treat it well. And you know, they tell us, ‘The children are our future.’ A former Prime Minister said that the future of our country is in the book bags of the children, the books. And I say to you, the future of our country is in the laptops in your book bags that you now carry.”
In her address, Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar urged students to stay determined, expressing confidence in their success and reaffirming her belief that they represent the future of Trinidad and Tobago.
“I believe in the young ones in my country, in your country, and you have to lead the way. You, young ones, use this laptop well.”
Dr. Dowlath emphasised that while the laptops are primarily intended for students, they can also benefit parents. He noted that the devices will give families easier access to information and educational resources, supporting learning beyond the classroom.
“The family itself has access to any information that is available on the World Wide Web, and so I think that, you know, this first step today will bring lots of results in terms of opportunities and information so that everyday life becomes a little more comfortable.”
One parent expressed her satisfaction with the government’s fulfilled promise, saying she believes the laptop will motivate students to stay engaged with their schoolwork. She also welcomed the built-in AI safety controls, noting they give her peace of mind.
“I know parents would monitor their children, but there is some sort of comfort knowing that certain questions children would ask and it will not allow them to go to the app, so it is much more comfortable.”
Dr. Dowlath also noted that Tobago distribution is scheduled for December 1st, and all 18,000 laptops will be distributed before the end of the year.