Antigua and Barbuda’s Ministry of Education is reintroducing digital learning in public schools, aiming to improve academic outcomes, particularly in mathematics. This comes after a previous e-book initiative, launched in 2016, failed, costing the government an estimated XCD $21 million over five years.
The One Lern platform by FortunaPIX, which combines tools like Google Classroom and QuizUp, is being piloted in four primary schools before a broader rollout. These interactive digital textbooks offer concept maps, classroom engagement tools, and performance analytics to enhance learning outcomes.
Senior Director at FortunaPIX, Satyajit Behera, highlighted the platform’s potential to transform mathematics education. He noted that poor math performance in CSEC exams remains a pressing issue for the Ministry of Education. Only 28.4% of students passed math in 2024, compared to 32.6% the previous year, reflecting a regional decline.
“The analytics feature can identify gaps in students’ understanding, enabling teachers to revisit specific topics in new ways,” Behera explained. “This approach could significantly improve math performance in both school and regional exams.”
The revamped platform also tackles previous challenges, such as internet connectivity issues. Textbooks can now be accessed offline, addressing concerns raised during the initial rollout in 2017. Parents can monitor their children’s progress directly from the devices, which are designed for ease of use even without internet access.
What went wrong the first time?
The original e-book program faced several hurdles, including faulty tablets, insufficient teacher training, unreliable internet, and outdated content. Critics, including teachers’ union officials and opposition members, argued that the program was rushed without a comprehensive implementation plan. Former education minister Michael Browne faced calls to resign over the program’s failures.
The E-book programme, introduced in 2016, was intended to cut the cost associated with purchasing the physical books through the Board of Education (BoE). However, the launch of FortunaPIX’s e-books program in Antigua and Barbuda schools faced several challenges and criticisms, which ultimately hindered its success. Here are the key issues that arose:
- Technical Difficulties and Poor Implementation:
- Many schools reported that the tablets provided for accessing e-books were faulty or prone to technical glitches.
- Insufficient technical support and maintenance led to devices being unusable for extended periods.
- Lack of Adequate Training:
- Teachers and students were not given sufficient training to use the new technology effectively.
- The transition from traditional books to e-books was abrupt, leaving educators unprepared to integrate the digital content into their teaching methods.
- Connectivity Issues:
- Reliable internet access, which was critical for downloading and using the e-books, was inconsistent in many schools, particularly in rural areas.
- This lack of infrastructure undermined the program’s functionality.
- Limited and Outdated Content:
- Some of the e-books provided were either outdated or not aligned with the curriculum, making them less useful for teaching and learning. Local teachers are being asked to produce additional content to augment the efforts of writers
- The range of subjects covered was also limited, reducing the value of the program.
- High Costs and Sustainability Concerns:
- The project incurred significant costs for the government, raising questions about its long-term financial sustainability.
- Critics argued that the funds could have been better utilized to improve other areas of education, such as teacher training or physical infrastructure.
- Lack of Local Input:
- The program was seen as externally imposed, with limited involvement from local educators and stakeholders in its design and implementation.
- This led to a mismatch between the program’s offerings and the actual needs of schools in Antigua and Barbuda.
These challenges culminated in widespread dissatisfaction with the e-books initiative. The program was viewed by many as a well-intentioned but poorly executed project. Despite the rocky start, education officials are optimistic that this revamped version will succeed and be implemented in all public schools nationwide.
