Flow delivers devices, connections for students

Much-need connectivity valued at $25,000 has been donated to fifty Barbadian students who are facing challenges accessing their virtual classes.

Leading telecoms provider Flow has donated fifty Mi-Fi devices and fifty free data plans to the Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training as part of the company’s ongoing support for online learning.

“Against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, one of our primary concerns is to ensure our students continue to have access to the quality education they deserve.

We also know the products and services we deliver are essential and we are equally committed to providing support to those families who are most in need,” Marilyn Sealy, senior manager, Communications, Flow, said.

The data plans are valid for the rest of this term and the next, and the devices can also be used going forward.

“There is no doubt the need for connectivity among these students is urgent and we are happy to support these families as we equip them with the necessary tools needed to fully participate in online learning,” added Sealy.

Joy Adamson, chief education officer (acting), Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training, received the donation and thanked Flow for continuing to offer support to students, parents and teachers.

“While many of our students are now equipped with a device and internet connection, the reality is that some of our most vulnerable families simply cannot afford that utility, so these devices and data will go a long way in ensuring that no student is left behind as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic,” she said.

“We are really happy about this donation from Flow, as it means these students can now have a device that provides them with access to the internet and online learning, so it is our intention to have these devices distributed as soon as possible to those students who are most in need.”

Flow’s most recent donation follows similar initiatives that saw the company providing tablets for students and increasing home internet speeds and bandwidth for teachers, in addition to providing a digital relief plan for unconnected tertiary-level students.

Last year the company also opened its Flow Study program to all students free of charge, along with the zero-rating of several websites for use by students of the University of the West Indies and the Barbados Community College. (PR)