SMART Classroom Enhancement Project Set to Revolutionize Education in Tobago

Is proud to announce the launch of The SMART Classroom Enhancement project, in partnership with The Tobago House of Assembly's Division of Education, Research, and Technology (DERT) and proudly sponsored by FLOW and RBC. This initiative marks the second phase of The SMART Classroom Project, aimed at driving the adoption of technology in education.

Phase 1 of the Project, which focused on installing SMART Board® Interactive Displays, implementing LUMIO Learning Software, and providing introductory training to teachers, has already been completed. The Second Phase is strategically designed to empower teachers with the support necessary to effectively leverage these technologies in their practice with a focused approach targeted at improving students’ outcomes in Mathematics.

The average pass rate for Caribbean students who wrote the CSEC Mathematics examinations over the last 10 years is 47%, reflecting a concerning trend in mathematics proficiency among our youth. The SMART Classroom Enhancement Project signals a pivotal step towards addressing this issue head-on by focusing on enhancing the teaching of mathematics to Form 4 students throughout Tobago, and supporting them through to their 2026 CSEC examinations.

Critical to the success of the Project is the comprehensive teacher training and support provided by ESS and SMART Technologies Inc. Teachers will be onboarded onto SMART’s Learning Management System (LMS), where they will access customized asynchronous learning materials and resources. The training program, designed with interactivity, collaboration, and gamification in mind, will enable teachers to effectively incorporate new tools into their classrooms.

In addition, the progress of the students throughout their learning journey will be tracked using The SmartTerm LMS platform and provide valuable data that can be used to inform the DERT’s strategic planning.

Brendon Butts, Managing Director, and Chief Education Architect of ESS, highlighted the importance of the partnership - “By leveraging technology effectively, teachers can significantly enhance students' learning experiences by providing interactive and personalized learning opportunities, fostering collaboration and engagement, and preparing students with essential digital skills for the future.” He further elaborated the significance of supporting the teachers throughout their journey and thanked FLOW and RBC for their support of the teacher training and professional development.

RBC is steadfast in its commitment to fostering positive change within communities, through its support for youth and education initiatives in Tobago. By endorsing programs that focus on the development and empowerment of young individuals, RBC aims to create a foundation where the youth can thrive and realize their full potential. Through these comprehensive efforts, RBC is not just investing in the future of Tobago's youth but also in the future prosperity and well-being of the entire community by creating a more educated and skilled workforce.

“FLOW is proud to support initiatives that promote education and technology. We believe that the Tobago SMART Classroom Enhancement project will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of education in Tobago, connecting teachers and students. We also commend the teachers for embracing the transformative power of technology in education.” - Bradley Ramcharran, Director B2B, FLOW.

Ayodele Pompey, CEO of SmartTerm Ltd stated, “Targeted investments in education are crucial for enhancing learning outcomes, and SmartTerm through its strategic partnership with ESS is proud to contribute to the Tobago SMART Classroom Enhancement Project by providing data-driven insights. Our involvement ensures that every dollar invested is maximized for the impact it intends. This is our commitment to transforming education in the region.”