A local business has donated free Internet access and wireless phone service to a primary school programme aimed at children who struggle in mainstream classroom environments.

CellularOne last week announced that they would donate Internet and YAK services to Victor Scott Primary?s Alternative Centre for Education (ACE).

The ACE programme ? which is also referred to as ?Another Cool Environment? ? offers at-risk children an alternative environment for learning which emphasises learning through field trips, hands-on experience and smaller class sizes.

The Victor Scott school implemented the ACE programme for children in grades P2 through P6 in September 2006 and there are currently ten students in it.

?CellularOne is thrilled to be part of a programme like ACE,? said Diana Winfield, the company?s marketing and retail manager. ?The programme educates children in a supportive environment where they are encouraged to explore their interests and identify their talents.

?As our business is driven by technological advancements, we share a common interest with many of the students participating in the ACE programme who have demonstrated great technical aptitude.?

Victor Scott principal Dr. Gina M. Tucker said the school was very excited about the new partnership.

?Technological skills are extremely important in today?s world, and our students will benefit from fast, easy access to all the information that is available on the Internet,? she said.

The school is hoping other businesses will come on board with donations of laptops. ?The ACE programme is in continual development and we are working closely with the Ministry of Education to ensure that the needs of children in this programme are fully met,? Dr. Tucker said.

The teacher in charge of the programme, Gladnora Ming, said the wireless telephone service would allow ACE to stay in touch with the main school as it is located in a different part of the school grounds and to communicate with parents.

?In addition, CellularOne?s support of the ACE programme through Internet service is important because it offers at-risk children the opportunity to learn on the go as they conduct offsite field trips, and to succeed in an environment that is challenging, interesting and inspiring.?