Rubis St. Vincent recently supported the online learning efforts of the Ministry of Education as a result of COVID-19.
The energy company recently invested US$7000 to provide students with devices allowing them access to vital e-learning programs. The 12 laptops and 9 tablets in addition to 10 internet connections for 6 months from Flow were presented to primary and secondary school pupils. In an event that took place at the National Public Library the devices were handed over to Myccle Burke, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Dickson Findley, Deputy Chief Officer in the Ministry of Education.
“COVID- 19 would have taught us that we cannot take things for granted and when the Ministry of Education closed schools on the 20th of March we started the online learning and discovered many students could not go online.” explained Mr. Findley. He added, “Some persons had devices but no internet, in some homes there is one device that has to be shared among the entire family and there are four and five persons in a home so we are grateful for this contribution from Rubis.”
In making the presentation Elroy Edwards, Country Representative, Rubis St. Vincent thanked the Ministry of Education for identifying the students who required assistance. Mr Edwards said, “The COVID-19 pandemic has up-ended the semesters of many students and as much as possible, we want to make sure it doesn’t up-end their studies or their futures. Therefore, these devices and internet connections will enable them to continue their learning.” He added, “Rubis remains fully committed to supporting youth development through education here in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and we will continue to give back to the people and the communities we serve.”
Mr. Burke explained that COVID-19 had demonstrated the good in Vincentians and at times the not so good in us but “…when there was a need to bridge the digital divide, when there was a need for students to be presented with devices that will further their education, Rubis answered the call.”
The presentation of the laptops and tablets is part of a regional company initiative by Rubis to assist the countries in which they operate across the Eastern Caribbean in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.
