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Paulwell names 13-y-o technology consultant A 13-year-old has been named youth consultant to the Ministry of Commerce and Technology by the Minister, Mr. Phillip Paulwell. He is Makonnen Blake Hannah. Mr. Paulwell said his responsibilities would include putting forward the perspective of the new generation and accompanying him to technology events dealing with youth-related matters. Makonnen has come a far way since he first sat on his mother's lap and learnt to use the computer at age four. "I taught myself practically everything on it and found it very easy to learn," he told The Gleaner yesterday. Keen on honing his skills in programming, Makonnen is elated that his skills have been recognised by the Government. Still too young for the job market, he will receive a token sum in the form of an honorarium. Mr. Paulwell, who announced the boy's appointment on Wednesday, was speaking at the launch of TechSchool 2000, a computer technology institution in St. Andrew which will train and offer development opportunities to Jamaican children who demonstrate high levels of competence in computer technology. Makonnen, who is home-taught, is a student at the institution located on Garden Boulevard, Mona. Mr. Paulwell said the new young consultant would also be responsible for continually updating him on the newest hardware and software additions and upgrades in order to simplify and enhance the work in his Ministry. He noted that the launch of TechSchool 2000 was history in the making for the young in the society, adding that the "new information age has truly dawned on us". Mr. Paulwell said that "failure to seize opportunities like this will compromise the development of the country". In her remarks, Barbara Makeda Blake Hannah, director of TechSchool 2000, said the institution evolved out of the need for children with advanced computer skills to be able to develop on these skills as their needs were not being addressed through the normal educational system. TechSchool 2000 will run a free summer school programme with 12 students between six and 18 years old from July 31 to August 28. The summer TechSchool, Mrs. Blake Hannah noted, would use the latest and best equipment and software for writing programmes, game creation, website design, animation, film making and music. http://www.mct.gov.jm/f1.htmlYou've reached the end of this story... Do you want to read more about Makonnen? [ Next Makonnen Story ] Or, check out the next success story! [ Next Success Story ] . about us . thanx . contact . awards . guestbook . site map . Copyright (C) 1999 (email link outdated) |