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Acting Minister of Education Senator Winston Williams Jr. is reiterating that in many ways, the benefits to be derived from the distribution of 4G LTE Computer Tablets to students are endless.

He was responding to critics who are of the opinion that the e-Education Computer Tablet initiative may lead to more abuse of the device on the part of students, rather than aiding them in their studies.

Speaking at a ceremonial handing over of the computer tablets to students of the Antigua Girls’High School on Wednesday afternoon, Williams said it is clear that the positives of the programme far outweigh the negatives.

“We cannot ask this generation to do next generation things without giving them the tools, and that is what this (initiative) is doing, giving them access to the World Wide Web, so that they can become inventors and experts in various fields. We are excited because this will help them get there,” the acting minister said.

He added that neither the government nor Digicel, who have funded the initiative view the distribution of the tablets as a waste of time and money, adding that their introduction into schools can see a decrease in the use of textbooks that are costing the government a great deal of money to acquire.

Minister Williams was high in praise for Digicel, whom he described as “good corporate citizens, who are ensuring that Antigua and Barbuda continues to lead the region and by extension the world in information technology.”

Digicel’s founder Denis O’Brien during Wednesday’s ceremony at the AGHS commended the government for the high quality educational system that exists in Antigua and Barbuda. He reminded students that education allows for individuals to unlock their abilities and dreams, and that the internet had an incredible role to play in their futures.

“It is our job as responsible citizens to ensure that every student in this country has the best opportunity on the path to success. A first class education using first class learning tools.

“Having this high speed internet service, the world will be the oyster for everyone. This is the most advanced technology we are seeing here in Antigua anywhere in the world. To the students in every secondary school across this country, it is fair to say that your future is unbelievably bright, and education can carry you like a magic carpet to your goals, whatever they may be,” he said.

The e-Education Computer Tablets and e-Education Connectivity initiative is part of the Government Assisted Technology Endeavour (GATE). In the first phase of the programme, ninety registered fifth form students from four of the island’s secondary schools will receive Samsung Galaxy Tablets with high speed internet service. The second phase of the initiative will commence shortly after and include the remaining secondary institutions.