UN office and York Castle alumni donate over $3m in computers to St Ann schools

L-R Deon Hemmings-McCatty (YC alumnus first ever Jamaican woman to win an Olympic Gold,
Devon McDonald- Vice Principal of Brown’s Town Primary School, Dwight Clarke YC alumnus , President of York Castle Alumni Association New York Chapter

ST ANN, Jamaica – Several schools in St Ann are now better equipped with resources, thanks to a donation of computers valued at over $3 million.

The initiative was led by the New York Chapter of the York Castle Alumni Association in partnership with the United Nations Office of Information and Communications Technology (OICT) Logistics Programme.

In a handover ceremony held recently, laptops and desktops were officially presented to 10 schools that serve as feeder institutions to York Castle High School.

The event was attended by school administrators, community members, students, and alumni representatives.

“This effort is aimed at improving access to technology for students at the foundational levels of education,” the organisers said.

The following schools each received two desktop computers and two laptops: Brown’s Town Primary, Brown’s Town Infant, Servite Primary, Clarksonville Primary, Muir House Primary and Junior High School, and Charlton Primary School.

Meanwhile, Bamboo Basic School, Clarksonville Basic School, Runaway Bay Basic School, and Orange Hill Basic School each received one desktop and one laptop computer.

York Castle High School itself received a major boost, with 34 desktop computers and 34 laptops to support its student population and digital learning initiatives.

“This is more than just a donation of equipment. It is an investment in the future of our children and in the growth of our educational system. These devices will help enhance learning, support digital literacy, and empower both students and educators across St Ann,” Dwight Clarke, president of the York Castle Alumni Association – NY Chapter said.

Clarke expressed gratitude to the OICT Logistics programme for its generosity, and to educators who continue to shape the minds of Jamaica’s future leaders.