Samuda Backs USF Tablet Drive for St Ann Students

ST ANN, Jamaica — Matthew Samuda, the Member of Parliament for St Ann North East, has praised the Universal Service Fund for its Connect a Child Programme, saying the project is helping more Jamaican students gain access to technology and narrow the country’s digital gap.

Samuda made the remarks at a recent presentation ceremony at St Ann’s Bay Primary School, where tablets were handed over to the school’s 10 top-performing students. He said the programme arrived at an important time and could make a meaningful difference in children’s learning.

The MP said the effort should be seen as more than a simple device distribution exercise. According to him, tablets can give students easier access to information, support independent study, help them explore topics beyond the classroom, and build skills that will matter later in life. He said the initiative was opening doors for children, encouraging their curiosity, and strengthening their belief in what they can achieve.

In a release, Samuda said the programme was especially important for children in underserved communities, where lack of access to digital tools can limit opportunities. He noted that students should not be held back because of their economic circumstances, adding that the tablets can help ensure children from different communities have access to similar learning platforms, information, and educational opportunities.

Samuda said the initiative helps create a fairer environment for students by giving them practical tools to support their development. He added that access to technology can build confidence, encourage students to take more responsibility for their learning, and motivate them to set higher goals. He said that kind of support was necessary for developing a generation that is more included, empowered, and prepared for the future.

The St Ann North East MP also repeated his commitment to education, stating that major support will come through his Constituency Development Fund to help tackle issues in the constituency’s schools. He said the CDF spending will go toward upgrading infrastructure, providing resources, and backing specific projects designed to improve student performance and the wider school environment.

The Connect a Child Programme is part of a wider national effort to advance digital transformation in education and better prepare Jamaican students for global technological change. Samuda said this preparation is becoming more urgent as artificial intelligence is expected to have a growing role in the years ahead.

He said Jamaica must make sure its students are ready for a world increasingly shaped by digital systems and AI-based solutions, adding that programmes such as Connect a Child are important to that goal.

Across the country, the initiative is expected to support wider access to educational material, stronger digital literacy, and greater student participation. Those gains, Samuda said, are important parts of preparing a future-ready workforce and improving Jamaica’s ability to compete internationally.