#BTFocus – Computers, face shields, and PPE . . . Innotech makes donation to Education Ministry

Innotech Group of Companies has donated Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and technological devices valued at BDS$75, 000 to the Ministry of Education to assist with its Google G-Suite Tech Drive for Education programme.

Today, Chairman of Innotech Group of Companies Anthony DaSilva presented 40 ChromeBooks, five laptop computers, 1, 000 protective face shields, a thermographic camera/scanner for mass screening, and 60 infrared non contact thermometers to Minister of Education Santia Bradshaw.

DaSilva said the donation represents Innotech Group’s commitment to supporting education efforts in Barbados as well as to the health and safety of the nation’s children during the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said as the nation continues to adjust to the evolving new norm, Innotech acknowledges Government’s dedication and commitment to keeping the people of Barbados, particularly the children, safe and protected.

“When the first two cases of COVID-19 were announced in Barbados, our company anticipated that the country would have to close at some point, if only to flatten the curve and assess the situation.

“As business owners, we were concerned about the future of our company and its ability to provide for our employees. But we feared most for the future of all children, given the likely impact.

“As a father, I can personally testify to how worried I was about the wellbeing of my children’s health and safety when I first heard about the scale of this pandemic. I was equally anxious about the future of their education,” DaSilva said.

During the brief presentation ceremony which took place at the Ministry of Education’s, Constitution Road, St Michael headquarters, Minister Bradshaw thanked Innotech and corporate Barbados, in general, for helping the Government meet the dire needs of students in the education system.She said Innotech’s donation was timely considering that there are several pending examinations, including tomorrow’s Barbados Secondary School Entrance Examination (BSSEE).

“And it is also timely because we are continuing to ensure that in the event that there is a second wave for COVID-19, that this Ministry is as prepared as it can be to ensure that children are not left behind as a result of not having a device that is accessible to them,” Bradshaw said. (AH)