The distribution of 1,056,430 tablets among public school students and teachers nationwide will start this October, Technological Innovation Director at the
Ricardo Zapata announced on Wednesday.
During the presentation of the technological devices, the official specified that these are 8-inch tablets aimed at fourth, fifth and sixth grade schoolchildren, from the first and second poverty quintiles.
Likewise, Zapata said that 10-inch tablets have been purchased for 90,000 teachers and students from focalized public high schools in rural areas.
He stressed that these tablets are designed to withstand very low temperatures, taking into account that they will be distributed in areas located even over 5,000 MASL.
Furthermore, he affirmed that all these devices come with a connectivity chip, so that students can access the Internet.
Concerning the areas where there is no Internet access, Zapata indicated that all pedagogical content will be included in the tablets so that they can be downloaded by pupils without the need for connectivity.
"In the case of tablets that reach areas where there is no electricity, a solar charger is included. This way, there will be continuity of the educational service," he highlighted.
According to Zapata, the tablets feature introductory videos for students and parents to be provided guidance about the use and care of such devices, as well as all the educational material they require.
"We have more than 35 applications and more than 3,000 contents. We have videos and applications for the development of computational thinking, education for work, mathematics, science and technology, as well as mental games," he indicated.
Zapata also said that tablets will offer students applications in native languages —especially developed by the ministry for those who speak Awuajun, Quechua and Aymara, among other languages.