Computers For Schools Celebrates Tenth Anniversary

EDUCATION- Computers For Schools Celebrates Tenth Anniversary

Twenty thousand computers later, a unique program that continues to help hundreds of thousands of Nova Scotia students get their fingers on technology in their classrooms is celebrating its tenth anniversary.

When NovaKnowledge started the Technology Recycling Program ten years ago, it looked to both the public and private sectors to ensure a steady supply of refurbished computers for Nova Scotia schools.

Today the program is known as Computers for Schools-Nova Scotia, and it is an overwhelming success.

The program combines the strengths of the Nova Scotia Department of Education, Industry Canada and the Aliant Pioneer Volunteers, as well as contributions from other companies and organizations such as NovaKnowledge, Nova Scotia school boards, CN and Microsoft.

"Computers For Schools-Nova Scotia is recognized across Canada for its innovativeness," said Kay Crinean, executive director of NovaKnowledge at an anniversary ceremony in Truro today, Oct. 6. "It's also a terrific example of a many different organizations working together to make something good happen."

The Department of Education supports the operation of five technology recycling workshops. Donated computers go the workshops to be cleaned, refurbished and shipped to public schools where they replace old and outdated machines.

With funding from the Government of Canada's Youth Employment Strategy, these workshops provide information technology graduates with their first on-the-job, paid experience repairing computers.

"Computers For Schools-Nova Scotia is valuable to our students in different ways," said Education Minister Jamie Muir. "The program provides information technology graduates with that all-important first job, and it puts innovative tools into the hands of young people, including those who might not otherwise have access to computers."

Aliant has been involved with Computers For Schools since the program began.

"We are so proud of our 10-year involvement in the Computers for Schools program," said Jay Forbes, Aliant president and chief executive officer. "Aliant, and our 8,000 Aliant Pioneer volunteers, are pleased to be involved in such an important program by offering technology to children and schools in our region. For the past decade, our Aliant Pioneer Volunteers have contributed thousands of volunteer hours refurbishing computers across Atlantic Canada, further exemplifying our commitment to the region and to the communities in which we live and work."

Computers for Schools-Nova Scotia now delivers 3,000 refurbished computers every year to classrooms in the province.