Speaking at Monday’s Pre-Cabinet Press Briefing, Education Minister Kenson Casimir said the laptops have arrived and are being prepared for distribution.
“All our laptops are currently being programmed as we speak… We will be disseminating laptops to every single Form 1 student within the first week of school,” Casimir said.
The minister said the ministry ordered the devices early to avoid delays when the new school year begins.
Casimir also provided an update on vacation payments for cleaners, cooks and other school staff.
He announced that the Government is preparing to make what he described as the first-ever summer payment to those workers who will receive salaries for August, even though schools are closed.
“Very soon, we’re expecting to have a very nice ceremony for signalling the first ever payment of summer salaries to cleaners, cooks and other ancillary staff at the Ministry of Education,” he said.
The move is particularly significant for workers who have traditionally gone without a salary during the August vacation period.
St. Lucia Times asked Casimir whether the payment would become permanent, rather than being announced each year.
The minister indicated that the current administration does not plan to end them.
“We certainly believe that these individuals deserve to be paid for their vacation time during the month of August and that is something that is going to continue as long as this government remains in office,” he said.
Casimir also placed the decision in the context of the back-to-school period, noting that many cooks, cleaners and other school workers have children and face the same expenses as other parents.
“So paying these individuals will definitely allow them to do a lot more in terms of providing for the children to get back to school,” he said.
Besides laptops and salaries, Casimir said work is continuing at schools before they reopen. He expects at least “99%” of repairs to be completed before students return, while the ministry is also buying new furniture for schools.
