Prime Minister Gaston Browne has highlighted the use of smart technology as a key solution to the long-standing shortage of mathematics teachers across Antigua and Barbuda, emphasizing the need for equitable access to quality education.
Speaking on the issue, Browne acknowledged that certain schools, particularly those considered “top schools,” tend to receive the best teachers, leaving others, such as Jennings Secondary, Pares Secondary, and schools in Barbuda, with fewer or less experienced educators. He described this imbalance as a form of discrimination that must be addressed to ensure all students have equal learning opportunities.
“We’ve always had a shortage of math teachers,” Browne stated. “Now, a math teacher can be in different schools and classrooms simultaneously, not just physically but through technology. With smartboards in secondary schools, a good math teacher—perhaps at Antigua Girls’ High School—can deliver lessons to multiple schools at the same time.”
The Prime Minister stressed the importance of creating a level playing field in education, ensuring that students in all schools receive high-quality instruction regardless of location.
He underscored the government’s commitment to leveraging digital advancements to bridge the educational gap, noting that smart technology can be used to extend the reach of skilled educators to classrooms where their expertise is needed most.
As Antigua and Barbuda continues efforts to modernize its education system, Browne emphasized that the integration of smart classrooms will be a crucial step toward improving learning outcomes and ensuring fairness in teacher distribution.
