Free laptop computers - it's the PUP's big election time promise. As explained in the PUP manifesto, it pledges laptop computers for $30,000 school children from standard four to fourth form in four years. And while election promises are usually taken with a grain of salt - and rarely make the news - the PUP today brought this one front and center - with the political launch of what they say will be a formal programme. We were at St. Mary's to see whether the Asus e-e-e PC, is enough to save the PUP.
Rt. Hon. Said Musa, Prime Minister
"One laptop for every child."
But this morning for the launch there were only 10 for 10 very lucky St. Mary's standard six students. And the reason there are only 10 is that it's not the formal launch of the program as much as it is the political launch in time for the election.
Jules Vasquez,
Is it electioneering to launch it now without a curriculum component to put these ten computers in the classroom and say, 'well see it here.'?
Rt. Hon. Said Musa,
"Everything is electioneering Jules. Everything is politics in Belize today but the important thing is that it's a very good program for the children of Belize."
And to know that - you only need to look into the engaged eyes of these children who've got a serious case of computer love.
Darcy Rodriguez, Standard 6 Student
"What I think about it is difficult to say because I think so many things about it and its very...I love it."
Jules Vasquez,
So what interesting have you learned on the computer about the computer?
<>Khadejah Wilson, Standard 6 Student
"I have learnt a lot of stuff since this short while."
Jules Vasquez,
Such as?
Khadejah Wilson,
"Math, language, science."
And while it engages these standard sixers as a new toy or a great gadget would - this is no toy, it should be a tool.
Delarai Sanchez, Principal - St. Mary's School
"We want them to have fun but the main purpose or the main objective is for learning. So in that sense I think most of the work on it will be done after the training when teachers have done their plans and they will be able to tell the children I would like for you to research on a specific topic or things like that."
"Teaching in the classroom will take on new meaning and purpose. More group activities will be done. Research and reporting of findings will be on a wider scale. Students will have fun learning. When homework is given, no child will be able to give the excuse that they could not find the information in the school text, right students."
Of course that would depend a lot on internet connectivity - and right now there is none.
Jules Vasquez,
What about this computer has surprised you?
Khadejah Wilson,
"Internet."
Jules Vasquez,
Does it have internet access?
Khadejah Wilson,
"Not as yet."
Jules Vasquez,
So you just see the internet navigation program, like Explorer and so?
Khadejah Wilson,
"I saw it but I can't go into it."
And that's the other problem - no internet which brings us back to another program - launched exactly to the day 5 years ago. It was January 30th. 2002 in this same school that the Prime Minister launched what then seemed as a promising internet in schools program with Intelco. And we all know how that story ended. There was supposed to be 5000 free computers but they were never all distributed and though they said it was free, government's coffers say we're still paying for them.
Jules Vasquez,
Five years ago upstairs, 7 years ago you launched the Intelco program that had computers, internet in schools. The internet in schools program has gone awry, the computers are completely obsolete and we're still paying for those free computers. How does that reflect now on this new promise of laptops?
Rt. Hon. Said Musa,
"Well the point is that we've been through a whole experience
with technology in Belize, with telecommunications. The point is today we have settled on this matter. Today telecommunications is one of the best in the region and, yes, they've been some problems in the past with Intelco but I think often times when you raise the Intelco matter, you fail to also mention that BTL took over a substantial part of that debt, paid off Social Security, for a substantial part."
Jules Vasquez,
They got a guaranteed rate of return.
Rt. Hon. Said Musa,
"Yes but which point are you dealing with now?"
Jules Vasquez,
I am just saying, they didn't take it over for nothing. They added it to their cost of investment and they put it on the bottom line."
Rt. Hon. Said Musa,
"They paid $19 million of the Social Security debt and settled that problem."
Jules Vasquez,
But they get a guaranteed rate of return and add that to the cost of investment so we end up paying for it as consumers, if not as taxpayers.
Rt. Hon. Said Musa,
"Well there's no such think as a free lunch in life."
Not only was it not free, it was an expensive lunch - that left everyone with an empty - in their pockets and bellies. But the politicians say this one is the real thing.
Hon. Francis Fonseca, Minister of Education
"We need to equip them, we need provide them with the tools they need in order to get a first world quality education. So that laptop being provided to these students comes fully loaded with important material, a digital dictionary for example, they have text books on it, relevant textbooks like the PSE math book that Dr. Petters developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, the African and Mayan History Publications are on the laptop."
And while it's all there - for the time being that's where it will stay. The program will start to be phased in the next school year.
Delarai Sanchez,
"The logistics I believe will have to be worked out with the Ministry of Education. It is not something that one principal or one school can do on their own. I think it has to be planned so it can be effective and working with our national curriculum. So I don't think you will see the effects of it immediately. Over time you will."
Jules Vasquez,
Are there any rules you are giving them, like take it home but don't drink water on it?
Delarai Sanchez,
"I am thinking about what Mr. Musa told me yesterday, that these are just for beginning this introduction. I don't know if the children will be taking it home today because that is what he said. This is just to be used for today."
So while they can pack it up for the time being they won't get to take it home. But test run, or electioneering - these children are sold on it.
Darcy Rodriguez,
"Well I like it and it has a lot of things. I am getting excited in it. It has games, camera, it has math, and one of the good things is that now you can find information and my teacher gives me a lot of information on Africans and Mayas so now I can use the laptop because actually my two sisters have computers but they don't share it with me."
And the Prime Minister says that they won't be disappointed regardless of who wins the election.
Janelle Chanona, News 5
"What happens with the idea for computers if your party does not form the next government?
Rt. Hon. Said Musa,
"I believe any sensible government would want to carry out this program. So I have no doubt there are people in Belize who will push to make sure this program is carried out."
According to a PUP release, teachers would be trained in May to August of this year.
