The Virgin Islands Department of Education (VIDE) is pleased to share significant progress in the distribution of tablets to students across the Territory, courtesy of Heritage Wireless, as part of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). Spearheaded by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), this federal initiative aims to bolster internet accessibility for households, a critical need particularly emphasized during periods when home-based virtual learning is imperative.
A shipment of 1,584 tablets arrived in the Territory, courtesy of Heritage Wireless, as part of the ACP. Each family had access to one tablet, complete with a pre-loaded T-Mobile internet service SIM card. The distribution spanned across both the St. Thomas-St. John and St. Croix Districts.
In the St. Thomas-St. John District (STTJ), 785 tablets have already been distributed, with 732 allocated to St. Thomas and 53 to St. John. Of these, 613 went to public school students and 119 to non-public school students on St. Thomas, while on St. John, 46 were designated for public school students and 7 for non-public school students, achieving an overall distribution rate of 90.5%.
In the St. Croix District (STX), 535 tablets were distributed, comprising 454 for public school students and 81 for non-public school students, resulting in a district-wide distribution rate of 77%.
While a significant number of tablets have already been distributed, there remain some yet to be collected in both districts. VIDE staff continues their efforts to reach out to parents and guardians to ensure the retrieval of these devices. The distribution process has been streamlined, with designated locations and times established for collection. Parents are required to present a valid ID and sign a receipt acknowledging the terms and conditions of distribution during collection.
The Virgin Islands Department of Education (VIDE) remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting the ACP, ensuring that families have the requisite technological resources to foster educational development and create equitable opportunities for all students.
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