For a company that grossed $132 million last year, $30,000 is petty cash. And while it might not be much to BTL, the 24 computers they bought with it is big news for the schools that will be getting them. They today donated the fully loaded computers to six schools which will bridge the widening digital divide for 2,000 primary school students who will now have access to a computer and the internet. Here's more.
Keith Swift Reporting,
This morning Dean Boyce, the Chairman of BTL's Executive Committee, handed over certificates to principals from six primary schools. The certificates are like coupons for four computers. Trial Farm Government School's principal Aviceli Nah says her school has 800 students and remarkably - they only had two computers. Now they'll have six.
Aviceli Nah, Trial Farm Gov't School
"We have two computers right now that the school has. We don't have internet right now but now with having these four computers that we are getting, we will make good use of it and we are realty proud of being the recipients of these four computers, along with internet."
Keith Swift,
As an educator, why do you feel access to the internet is so important to your students?
Aviceli Nah,
"Because it is a stepping stone for the students, especially for high school. These students don't really have access to the computer so at least for them, especially for the standard six, it will be of good use."
The four computers will be a fast track on the information superhighway for the two hundred or so students that attend St. Mathew's Government School on the Western Highway near Belmopan. Internet isn't even available in the village but it'll be now. Ann Zuniga is the principal.
Ann Zuniga, St. Mathew's Gov't School
"We have a population of 267 student presently. When our school was chosen I was very excited, for the teachers and for the students especially because it is going to really enhance their learning."
Keith Swift,
Does your school have internet access or anything like that?
Ann Zuniga,
"No, in fact the BTL will be installing the internet service for us."
And while it will mean a lot for the schools - it didn't cost BTL much. Thirty thousand dollars is the magic number and, if you must know, Chairman Boyce says that 30gs is money they would have used to buy food and gifts for their shareholders at last month's annual general meeting. So Boyce says that instead of cocktails - they bought computers.
Dean Boyce, BTL
"At the last AGM, what we tried to do was to reduce the ongoing cost of holding that AGM, cut out the little gifts, and bits and pieces, and the food and so on and with the money we saved, we are able to put into something that is a lot more useful for the country. So what we are doing is we're giving away four PCs to six different schools. These are primary schools, one in each of the six districts, together with free internet access through our free internet for schools program."
The schools were chosen by the Ministry of Education. The other recipient schools are Mary Hill Roman Catholic from Corozal, Bethel Primary from Belize City, Zion Adventist from Stann Creek, and Bethel Seventh Day Adventist from Punta Gorda. Today's donation is a part of BTL's wider internet in school program which hooks up high schools to BTL's internet network.
