 Coming to you from our GIS studios, I am Anicia Antoine and this is your midday news brief. Prime Minister Hon. Alan Shastney has called on Saint Lucians to recommit themselves to the development of the nation, this as he addressed the country on the occasion of the island's 41st anniversary of independence on February 22. The Prime Minister said that now is the opportune time for us as a people to develop the skills and mindset that would set us apart from the rest of the region. He says it begins with a positive attitude. The Prime Minister says that the aim in the long run is to empower all citizens to offer them equal opportunities to realize their potential. He says the gains that we make will be multiplied tenfold if we move together as one nation, united in a common purpose, loving and respecting one another with tolerance and understanding of each other. The government of Saint Lucia has taken a significant step in transforming and modernizing the education sector with the distribution of electronic learning devices to secondary school students. The Ministry of Education, Innovation, Gender Relations and Sustainable Development began distribution earlier this week as part of a three-year ICT in education project. The introduction of the electronic learning device is part of a three-year pilot project across secondary schools which focuses on broadening information technology in the classroom. The initiative stems from the ratification of the ICT in education policy which sets the framework for education initiatives being undertaken by the Ministry of Education. Students from 13 secondary schools will be receiving these devices which replace the one-laptop pro-child program which ended in 2017. Permanent Secretary in the Department of Education, Innovation and Gender Relations, Michelle Charles says teachers have already undergone training to use these devices in the classrooms. Representatives from the Ministry of Education have met with the secondary and primary school principals to discuss the instructional plans for teaching and learning in a classroom going forward. Fiona Meyer, Chief Education Officer at the Ministry of Education noted that the instructions given has a direct impact on assessment. During the meeting, the National Lottery's authority presented a monetary contribution to the various district education officers on behalf of principals towards their annual school spotting events. Chief Education Officer Fiona Meyer expressed gratitude to the authority for their donation. The meeting was held on Friday, February 14th, 2020. This has been your Midday News Brief. Thank you for watching.