Barataria Anglican Primary School Focuses on the Online Safety of Students

Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago – 23 June 2026 – Students of Barataria Anglican Primary School are now better equipped to navigate the digital world safely and confidently following the opening of a new state-of-the-art technology lab funded through the Digicel Foundation’s Extraordinary Projects Impacting Communities (EPIC) programme, in partnership with Shell Trinidad and Tobago.

The newly established lab features 21 brand-new laptops, a projector, and purpose-built furniture designed to create an engaging, modern learning environment. In addition to supporting classroom instruction, the facility will host structured online safety sessions for students, parents, and teachers, helping to ensure the wider school community can use the internet responsibly and with confidence.

The project was spearheaded by the school’s Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) in support of the school’s academic and digital advancement goals.

“How do we prepare our children for a world that never logs off? The answer is simple — we must evolve alongside them. Our aim is not merely to make our students tech-literate, but tech-safe,” said Natalie Gillman-Gibbs, Principal of Barataria Anglican Primary School.

The school’s focus on creating safer online experiences closely aligns with the Digicel Foundation’s ongoing efforts to promote responsible internet use through its Safer Internet Together (SIT) programme. The initiative takes a holistic approach to digital safety by engaging not only students, but also parents and teachers, helping them better understand online risks and equipping them to guide children toward safer online behaviours.

The EPIC programme, launched in 2016, is delivered annually to support community-based organisations working to create meaningful and lasting change. In 2025, the Digicel Foundation and Shell T&T entered into a landmark three-year partnership to jointly fund the EPIC programme, representing a combined investment of TT$3.8 million.

Now in its 10th year, EPIC has funded 170 projects across Trinidad and Tobago, advancing sustainable development and delivering positive social impact in communities nationwide.