Above: A teacher engaged in virtual classes with primary school students in East Trinidad. Photo courtesy Flow

Online education has become the vehicle by which our nation’s children are being taught. Because of the health policies as a result of Covid-19, for the sake of safety for all, the first term of the new academic year tested the capabilities of students and patience of teachers as sessions were delivered virtually.

Heeding the call to assist students and teachers with the transition from brick and mortar to a virtual classroom, Flow has re-energized its Triple A programme which provides free broadband and video service to schools in need throughout Trinidad. To date, 424 government and government-assisted schools from across Trinidad, representing ECCE, primary schools and tertiary institutions, have been provided with the Triple A service.

Of this number, some 20 schools have had an additional boost in service, with teachers operating out of those locations, so teachers who are unable to conduct classes at home can take advantage of the existing Triple A benefits and teach at school while their students learn off campus.

Ms. Lisa Madhosingh, Principal of Princes Town RC Primary School, shared the fact her team is grateful for the support that Flow is providing to schools across the country, aiding in the education of the nation’s youth at a critical time in our history. She said that she received “very professional service” from the Flow team and since the boost in broadband speeds the school continues to enjoy “excellent internet service.”

In existence since March 2012, Triple A is an acronym for the programme’s core values – ‘Aim, Aspire, Achieve’ – values which easily apply to teachers and students who are determined to succeed.

“Looking at it from a teacher’s perspective, they need the tools to ensure they can continue the job of giving their charges the best education possible. Our Triple A programme continues to serve in that capacity, so that an educator’s contact with his or her students is not limited because of unreliable online access,” said Kurleigh Prescod, Country Manager of Flow Trinidad.

“It is already challenging as it is to conduct a class online. This initiative continues to allow us the opportunity to advocate the innovative and effective use of broadband technology in education.”

When classes were conducted at schools, the broadband and video services were platforms used for research – complementing the hard copy texts already used in class and enhancing the scope of knowledge and understanding among students and their teachers. Now, they are vital tools in connecting with students as online learning continues in earnest.

Flow considers schools for the Triple A programme through formal application found on Flow’s Web site. Broadband is available to institutions in digital-ready areas.