Sam Sharpe TC gets SMART lab to boost teacher training
Published:Friday | January 16, 2026 | 12:09 AMAlbert Ferguson/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
Dr Ricardo Bennett, principal of Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College (SSTC) in St James, says the institution’s ability to prepare teachers for modern classrooms has been significantly strengthened with the handover of a fully equipped SMART Lab, which was donated by the Digicel Foundation in partnership with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The state-of-the-art facility, outfitted with 24 computer workstations, an interactive Smart Board and advanced printing capabilities, was officially handed over during a ceremony at the Dr Cecile Walden Conference Room on the college’s Granville campus recently.
The investment comes at a critical time for SSTC, Western Jamaica’s only teacher-training institution, which serves approximately 850 students enrolled in 12 accredited programmes.
“This SMART Lab will change how we prepare our teachers,” said Bennett. “Firstly, by providing cutting-edge technology for instructional design and digital literacy. Secondly, it will enable our students to master the 21st-century learning tools they will use in their classrooms, and thirdly, it ensures that our graduates enter the profession equipped to meet the demands of modern education.”
Accepting the keys to the facility, Bennett expressed gratitude on behalf of the college community and gave a commitment that the lab would be used responsibly and purposefully.
“We receive this remarkable facility with hearts full of thanksgiving and a renewed commitment to excellence in teacher education,” he said. “We pledge to honour your generosity through the diligent use of this SMART Lab, ensuring that it serves as a catalyst for educational innovation and teaching excellence for years to come.
The donation coincides with SSTC’s golden jubilee celebrations and follows the institution’s recovery from the impact of Hurricane Melissa, which struck in October last year.
Meaningful moment
Bennett noted that the support comes at a particularly meaningful moment in the college’s recovery from the hurricane.
“It comes at a particular time as we navigate the road to recovery following the impact of Hurricane Melissa,” he said, noting that the gift will boost the institution’s resilience and continued commitment to quality education.
Joy Clark, the chairman of the Digicel Foundation, said the initiative reflects the foundation’s long-standing commitment to investing in education and the transformative power of technology.
“This SMART Lab is our gift to you, a tool to help you show up even more for your students,” said Clark. “Teaching and learning can now be more interactive, more engaging and, most importantly, fun.”
The lab is equipped with Mimeo Education Software, preloaded with lessons and teaching resources from educators worldwide. Users will also be able to upload their own materials, creating a shared repository accessible to teachers across Jamaica.
Clark said recent disruptions underscored the importance of resilience in education.
“Events like Hurricane Melissa have reminded us of the urgent need to kick-start learning now more than ever. Technology is a powerful tool to ensure continuity and progress, even in the face of adversity,” she said.
Reinford Grant, the president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said the technology would significantly enhance teacher preparation.
“I know how grateful the teachers are going to be with these smart computers to teach these smart children,” he said, pointing to the growing role of technology in education.
The lab’s capabilities were demonstrated by SSTC Senior Lecturer Chanise Campbell-Blake, who mastered the system after just two training sessions.
Additional support came from Coleen Lyn, vice-president of Coldax Mart Limited, who presented Bennett with supplementary software and two years of complimentary internet service to support the lab’s sustainability.
As the sole teacher-training institution in Western Jamaica, Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College plays a pivotal role in preparing educators for schools across the region. The SMART Lab represents a strategic investment in equipping future teachers with the digital competence and innovative teaching skills required in modern classrooms.
The collaboration between the Digicel Foundation and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints underscores the impact of public-private-faith partnerships in strengthening Jamaica’s educational infrastructure and advancing national development.