Through the World Bank’s support for building digital skills, 20 smart classrooms have been equipped in schools across Saint Lucia’s eight educational districts. In collaboration with the Ministry of Education, 35 teachers are now trained to use these tools, benefiting over 4,500 primary school students—a notable percentage of the island’s 180,000 residents
This is part of the World Bank’s Caribbean Digital Transformation Project, which since 2020 has supported efforts to enhance digital access for governments, businesses, and individuals in the Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The program focuses on creating a favorable digital environment, modernizing government services, and promoting digital skills and technology adoption. It builds on previous work of the Caribbean Regional Communications Infrastructure Program that has helped Saint Lucia’s internet connectivity reach over 78 percent of the population today, and the monthly price for a pre-paid mobile connectivity package drop from $3.50 to $2.23, enabling more people to get online.
The school’s principal, Ms. Lyrill Arthur-Stanislaus, embraces ways to make learning more interactive and personalized. She explains how interactive boards and educational apps can cater to different learning styles, helping students grasp complex concepts through visual aids and hands-on activities. This technological integration also prepares students for a future where digital literacy and global collaboration are crucial, ensuring they are well-equipped for the challenges and opportunities of the modern world.
Looking ahead, she is excited for what’s to come. “In a few years, I hope our students will ask, ‘What could happen if? How can technology help me?’ I want them to remember their time at Vide Bouteille and how smart classrooms changed their lives. I want them to know anything is possible with belief and hard work, and these digital resources can give them the tools to succeed.”
This World Bank program has also supported more advanced digital skills for other young adults and professionals around the island, with over 700 people trained through digital classes and camps. In the meantime, the government is making progress on legislation for fintech, digital payments, and digital identity management. Cybersecurity capacity is being developed with support and training, and efforts are underway to establish a new climate-resilient data center on the island.
“Digital transformation is about more than just upgrading technology; it’s about unlocking the potential of entire economies. By investing in digital infrastructure and skills training, we’re ensuring that people here have the tools they need to innovate and thrive. The strides we’ve made through the Caribbean Digital Transformation Project are laying the groundwork for a more inclusive and prosperous future across the region,” says Lilia Burunciuc, World Bank Director for the Caribbean.
In a few years, when this initiative finishes, the goal is to have helped support economic growth, create jobs, and improve public services, ultimately contributing to the overall development of the Caribbean region.
So that no matter what Ayan and her classmates ultimately become when they grow up, they have access to digital tools that open more opportunities along the way.
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