 The launch of this revolutionary effort in digital learning in November of 2023 represented a turning point in the educational trajectory of the country, bringing it in line with the needs of the digital age. In order for the digital content to become effective, head of the Curriculum and Materials Development Unit, Kamdu Giannetti George, says the significance of incorporating digital content into the educational framework of St. Lucia will only be felt when teachers and students become better acquainted with the content and how to make the best use of it. The teacher training workshop held recently at the conference room of the University of the West Indies on the Mon focuses mainly on the areas of mathematics, physical education, geography and music, piloted in forms one to three of secondary schools on the island. Ms. George says Kamdu officers are very excited about incorporating technology in a structured manner. It is expected that this pilot of our phase one will run during the second and third term. During the implementation of the pilot, there will be close monitoring, support will be provided by the curriculum officers out of Kamdu and at the end of the pilot period there will be a post pilot survey. Kamdu has also been engaging kindergarten teachers in the use of Jollyphonics to enhance learning through a recent training seminar. Education consultant and facilitator of the recent Jollyphonics training, Joy Sharon says the multisensory teaching approach is highly engaging for kids and introduces them to 44 letter sounds parallel to their learning of 26 letters in the English alphabet. The feedback has been absolutely amazing. So the teachers have been using the Jollyphonic program, however without the training. And so there are some misconceptions and that sense of the program directs that you deliver at least a sound a day, so five sounds a day for the program to be effective. However, the teachers have been bringing their prior knowledge alongside the new knowledge that they've picked up themselves and found it a bit overwhelming. And so for them to receive the direct instruction and explicit instruction on how to deliver the program, they're very receptive to it. And that's been lovely to see. Whilst training for this new set of kindergarten teachers who are ongoing, the first cohort of Jollyphonics training conducted in July of 2023 was reflecting on the experience utilizing the method within the classroom. The sharing with each other, the best practices, what did they learn, the successes, what are the challenges and the opportunities for improvement. The Jollyphonics program is systematic. It is enjoyable. It is hands-on. So there is an aspect of the program for every student in the class. So we are reaching the needs of all our students, the learning styles of our students and it's just beautiful. Teachers are expected to employ the new knowledge and skill in their classrooms following the training and will be supervised by trained literacy coaches in order to monitor and evaluate that the approach is being administered to standard. From the communications unit of the Department of Education, Innovation and Vocational Training, I am Chris Saffi reporting.