Digital TV box to boost access to education, tackle teacher absenteeism

The government is investing in digital learning solutions through the Ministry of Education to prepare the younger generation for Guyana’s digital future.

This commitment was underscored by President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, at the launch of the Digital Learning TV Box at the Leonora Track and Field Facility on Saturday.

The Digital Learning TV Box is a device that enables households to access the newly launched digital educational channels of the Guyana Learning Channel (GLC). It serves as a bridge between traditional analog or non-ATSC-compliant smart TVs and the ATSC 3.0 digital broadcast standard, which offers improved picture and sound quality, better reception, and a more efficient use of the broadcast spectrum.

“I want to congratulate the Ministry of Education on further improving the digital platform—enhancing accessibility to education, introducing innovative learning approaches, and fostering a dynamic learning environment,” the president stated in brief remarks.

This initiative is part of a broader investment in digital transformation, aimed at creating a national digital platform that integrates education, finance, and governance.

For instance, a Digital School will soon be launched in Regions Two, Three, and Six. This initiative will provide interactive, high-quality education that is accessible to all students nationwide and even across the Caribbean. The Digital School will complement physical schools, ensuring that students in even the most remote areas have equal access to learning materials.

President Ali noted that this tool would help address issues such as teacher absenteeism and inadequate access to learning resources, ensuring continuity in education.

“This [Digital TV Box] and the Digital School will complement each other, allowing our children to learn in an environment that reflects the future they will operate in. Five years from now, or even sooner, our children will be functioning in a completely new, highly digitised environment—one where artificial intelligence (AI) plays a leading role,” the head of state emphasised.

President Ali speaking at the Launch