Students at E.P. Roberts Primary School will be able to take advantage of technology with 40 new laptop computers valued at $25,000 installed in their computer lab to facilitate the implementation of Mission Educate’s TUNEin To Reading (TiR) program through a donation by RBC Royal Bank. The laptops will allow students to tune in to TiR an electronic music-based program developed in the United States that uses techniques to help students improve their reading abilities, a project that was implemented by Mission Educate Bahamas in primary schools in The Bahamas.

Mission Educate Bahamas is a non-profit organization with the goal to improve literacy in primary schools by providing the tools, resources and training to engage and educate students.

“Reading is fundamental to the success of our students, and so is the understanding and implementation of information technology. This is an initiative that we are grateful to partner in along with the Minister of Education [Jerome Fitzgerald] and Mission Educate who were responsible for introducing the TiR program,” said Nathaniel Beneby Jr., managing director, RBC Royal Bank, The Bahamas, Cayman and Turks & Caicos Islands.

“We are always excited about making substantial contributions to public and private schools in New Providence and the Family Islands. Our youth are the future. So we see this as an investment in the growth and development of our nation,” said Beneby.

Rob Johnston, head, Caribbean Banking, RBC Financial (Caribbean) Limited, said it was an important corporate initiative for RBC as comprehensive technological education has been proven to help students excel academically and develop improved literacy skills. He said good reading skills promotes individuality, bolsters self-esteem, and can help youth develop a stronger sense of self-awareness.

E.P. Roberts Principal Janice Moss said the investment would be beneficial to the students and thanked RBC for the laptops, and Aetos Holdings for the TiR program which she said would result in students excelling and possibly reaching their full academic potential.

The education minister along with Minister of Transport and Aviation Glenys Hanna-Martin and Royal Bank officials toured the new computer lab during a visit to the school at Lincoln Boulevard and Balfour Avenue on Monday.

“I am confident that these computers will enhance the academic performance of students through improved literacy skills, create paths for academic success and boost reading confidence that allows for greater productivity among students as a result of being capable and confident readers,” said Fitzgerald. “Our emphasis this year is on quality and RBC and Mission Educate Bahamas [are aligned] with that standard. I know that these computers that are here to facilitate the Tunein To Reading program will produce quality readers and essentially quality students.”