[kictanet] Ongeri Hurray on ICT Bus

Wed Mar 24 20:07:45 EAT 2010

Crystal,
I understand your argument.  The most amusing thing in all the bus
discussion business, nobody ever asked for the concept paper to see why it
was proposed.  Now that I am beggining to understand the arguments
advanced, I hope someone will share a white paper or prove of concept in
our presentations.  We shall get to learn more when we back our arguments
with best practices elsewhere.

Regards

Ndemo.

> That is precisely my arguement for using those funds for training centers
> and Rural Internet Kiosks. These are designed to teach people computer and
> Internet skills. The people who are trained can then working in the
> schools, clinics, and other areas where ICTs can be used for development.
> Education must be viewed holistically to encompass the whole society not
> simply school children who can occassionally board the bus. In addition
> these projects are financially self sustaining after implementation and
> prove much needed employment.
>
> Let us consider the long term ramifications of our investments and ensure
> that we get the maximum impact. It is easier said than done, but if we do
> not begin the journey it will never be done.
>
> Blessings,
>
> Crystal
> Sent from my BlackBerry®
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: bitange at jambo.co.ke
> Date: Wed, 24 Mar 2010 19:15:50
> To: <crystal at voicesofafrica.org>
> Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions<kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke>
> Subject: Re: [kictanet] Ongeri Hurray on ICT Bus
>
> Robert,
> Things are not as easy as you write here.  Today in Kenya you cannot try
> to do anything without taking into account of regional interests.  I hope
> you are watching the constitutional process and the regional emotions.
> Imagine if we were to start with schools in the ASAL region promising to
> cover the entire country in the next five years.  Consider that Ministry
> of Education does not have adequate number of teachers as we speak yet
> you
> will need at least one computer teacher in the 20,000 primary schools and
> 9,000 secondary schools.
>
> If we need to close the digital divide, we all must change.  We must for
> example begin volunteering to teach both the students and the unemployed
> youth computers.  By so doing, you will one day live to say what you did
> for your country.  Like it is said "it is easier said than done".
>
> Regards
>
>
> Ndemo.
>
>
>
>
>> Hi,
>>
>> It seems that some sanity is coming into the education realm with the
>> Hon.
>> Minister Dr. Ongeri canceling the proposed ICT Bus project, I believe
>> once
>> bitten twice shy.
>>
>> The project was to cost Kes. 1.2  B with each bus costing Kes. 7
>> Million
>> which equates to 171 buses that is roughly 24 buses per province this
>> was
>> surely another scan in the making.  I remember the MP of Kisumu Hon.
>> Shabbir raising the issue of the buses and getting dismissed as a self
>> seeking technology Neanderthal, lets hope this is the beginning of
>> sanity
>> in the ICT arena, but if I was you I wouldn't hold my breath.
>>
>> I suspect that the concept of mobile computer labs was a thinking from
>> the
>> mobile library project but someone forgot that with a library the books
>> are left behind.
>>
>> With Kes 7 million we could do much more than just a single bus with 20
>> computer that requires a driver, insurance, service, generators, and
>> many
>> other thinks.
>>
>> Here is my suggestion on how the 7 million could be better utilised to
>> meet the objectives.
>>
>> - 20% to be used for physical facilities (stone & mortar) - Kes. 1.4 M
>> -
>> This can build 150 sq m of classroom space inclusive of electrical
>> wiring
>> & burger proofed windows. An average computer lab is 15 sq m which
>> means
>> we can build 10 labs and each can accommodate 20 screens/pcs.  We could
>> build even more labs if the Ministry if Housing provided the
>> interlocking
>> soil block making machines
>>
>> - 30% to be used for provision of power to the lab - Kes. 2.1 million
>> we
>> which we need to provide sufficient power.  The computers will need to
>> be
>> low power consumers therefore we use TFT screens and cpu sharing
>> devices
>> that allow 1 computer to be used simultaneously by 4 or more students.
>> With this our power requirement for each lab would be below 1,000 VA
>> which
>> can easily be supplied by a few solar panels and a battery bank.
>>
>> - 20% for the actual hardware - Kes. 1.4 M - DC powered computers,
>> printers and GSM modem with a good proxy server to provide local
>> caching.
>> This will also include structured cabling which will be done by the
>> graduats of the kazi kwa Vijani initiative where they will have been
>> offered technical training.
>>
>> -  20% teacher training - Kes. 1.4 M, even if we have them certified in
>> ICDL we shall be able to train 66 teachers which would provide enough
>> computer teachers.
>>
>> - 10% well I leave you to decide what to do with that, note that there
>> are
>> no recurrent costs such as drivers, diesel, electricity costs (God does
>> not charge for solar, yet).
>>
>> The 10 labs can be used by the schools during the day and could be made
>> available to the community in the evenings and as digital villages over
>> the weekends where content can be generated, yes local content (ask me
>> for
>> details).
>>
>> Now that I have spend the equivalent of 1 bus to create 10 centers why
>> won't we actually do this, because I did not factor in the feasibility
>> study costs, 30%, seminars and workshops 50%, sitting allowances 20%
>> and
>> well nothing else to include as the preliminary costs have already
>> consumed the 7 million.
>>
>> Ongeri hurray but lets hope the money will not go to drinking water and
>> writing materials for a bonding session.
>>
>> Regards
>>
>>
>>
>>  Robert Yawe
>> KAY System Technologies Ltd
>> Phoenix House, 6th Floor
>> P O Box 55806 Nairobi, 00200
>> Kenya
>>
>>
>> Tel: +254722511225, +254202010696
>>
>>
>>
>>
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