Giving old laptops a new life and new purpose with Teacher in a Box
Access to education should never depend on location. That’s the belief behind Teacher in a Box, a local grassroots initiative providing offline educational resources to students in remote and underserved communities where internet access is limited or unavailable.
Regional Workforce Management’s involvement in this program began with DEWR Compliance Officer, Eloise Wattie, who saw an opportunity to bring the idea to life across the Pacific Islands, particularly in communities we’ve built strong ties with through the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme.
“I first came across Teacher in a Box through APEX Australia and it immediately struck a chord. These laptops still have so much to give, especially in places where students don’t have reliable internet. It’s a simple way we can support access to learning and give back to the communities we’ve built strong connections with,” said Eloise.
RWM has donated 51 refurbished laptops so far, with 20 in the first round and another 31 more recently, helping expand access to digital learning where it’s needed most.
No longer needed for business use, these laptops have found a second life as powerful learning tools. Through the Teacher in a Box initiative, they’re now supporting students and educators across Papua New Guinea, Fiji, the Solomon Islands and other islands throughout the Pacific, opening up access to education, employment and long-term economic opportunity.
The concept is simple, yet the impact is far reaching. Each site receives a compact server that hosts a huge range of educational content. It creates a local Wi-Fi network, allowing laptops, smart phones and tablets to wirelessly connect and access the preloaded resources. There’s no need for internet, SIM cards or mobile data making it a cost effective and accessible solution for schools, libraries and community centres.
Jeanette Johnstone, Project Manager and Founder of Teacher in a Box, has seen the impact firsthand. “In places where resources are scarce and data is expensive for the local people, having instant access to learning materials makes an incredible difference,” said Jeanette. “The platform is fast, distraction free and safe, it’s creating opportunity.”
The value of this access extends beyond the classroom. In many of these communities, education is a pathway to financial independence, stable employment and broader participation in the workforce. It empowers teachers and the next generation of workers to contribute to their local economies, opening doors to training, trade and tertiary opportunities that may have once felt out of reach.
“It’s not just what’s on the laptops,” Jeanette said. “It’s what becomes possible because of them. We’re seeing more confident teachers, more engaged students and the chance to keep learning, no matter where you are.”
Locally, RWM is working alongside community leaders like our own Cultural Welfare Officer, Pa Enari, a former national and international rugby union coach who’s now helping to establish digital learning hubs through his connections with council and youth groups. Many sites already have the motivation and infrastructure in place, what’s often missing is reliable equipment and access to resources.
As Pa explains, “Laptops will provide many chances for learning that focus on what is really important. They help teachers feel more confident, make students more interested in learning and allow people to keep learning no matter where in the community.”
“We’ve had conversations with local leaders like Pa who are already creating safe, supportive spaces for young people. What they need is reliable equipment and resources. This is backing the work they’re already doing and helping make it go further,” said Miro Jevtic, RWM Business Assurance Manager.
Resources can be tailored to suit each region, with content spanning from early childhood through to university level subjects. Local languages, vocational training modules and even health and agriculture resources can be included to reflect the needs of the communities they’re supporting.
Supporting this initiative is one way RWM is helping break down barriers to learning, creating real opportunities for people to thrive, now and into the future.
We’re proud to stand behind Teacher in a Box and look forward to seeing where these laptops go next.
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