Computers for Schools-Nova Scotia celebrated a major milestone recently when it delivered its 20,000 th computer to an elementary school in Dartmouth.
“Computers for Schools is an example of what governments, businesses and individual Canadians can accomplish when they work together to give children and young people improved access to technology,” said Allan Rock, the federal minister of industry. “The dedication and commitment of local partners and supporters have provided the young people of this great province with unprecedented opportunities for learning and skills development.”
At a celebration held at Shannon Park Elementary School, Computers for Schools-Nova Scotia recognized the support of its partners including Microsoft Canada, which donates all operating system software and the Nova Scotia Department of Education, which supports the operations of five technology recycling workshops, where donated computers are cleaned, refurbished and shipped to local public schools and libraries.
Through funding provided by the Government of Canada’s Youth Employment Strategy, the recycling workshops provide short-term employment for IT graduates, helping them gain experience as they make the transition from school to full-time work.
“Our government is very happy to see this milestone reached by the Computers for Schools-Nova Scotia program,” said Angus MacIsaac, Nova Scotia’s minister of education. “The program…helps us to reach our goal of one computer for every five students in Nova Scotia schools.”
The program also recognized Aliant, a founding partner of the Computer for Schools program, which is responsible for donating computers, providing vans for pickups and deliveries of equipment, and encouraging employees to volunteer.
Computers for Schools operates in cooperation with all provinces and territories, the private sector and thousands of volunteers.
