[kictanet] 6, 000 primary schools picked for free laptop project

Thu May 30 18:35:53 EAT 2013

From: Edith Adera <eadera at idrc.ca> wrote
>This list had a fairly extended discussion on this program some months ago – were these views consolidated and shared with the >Ministry? Grace? 
Walu? I think it should be done as a start.

Edith I summarized most of this lists arguments on a public blog for any technocrat to read @

http://www.nation.co.ke/blogs/A-sober-take-on-laptops-for-class-one-pupils/-/634/1851296/-/view/asBlogPost/-/lxh3tpz/-/index.html

But perhaps they are too busy to read blogs.  Perhaps the ICT Cabinet Sec. might translate some of our divergent view into a formal government brief and share with his counterpart at the Ministry of education.  Thereafter we except to hear an improved approach on this matter. 

Personally I have been abit skeptical over the whole project but willing to make the best out of it in terms of ideas.  But if we deliberately? start off on a wrong note one begins to wonder if the objective has already been hijacked by folks who want  to "expense" some billions rather than "invest" the same.

walu.

________________________________
 From: Edith Adera <eadera at idrc.ca>
To: Walubengo J <jwalu at yahoo.com> 
Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions <kictanet at lists.kictanet.or.ke>; KICTAnet - Media Editors Forum <mediaeditors at lists.kictanet.or.ke> 
Sent: Thursday, May 30, 2013 5:17 PM
Subject: RE: [kictanet] 6,000 primary schools picked for free laptop project

Walu,

In addition to clear “marginalization”, I wonder to what extent there has been wide consultation to engage key stakeholders including those in the ICT industry who have rolled out computers in schools (e.g. computer for schools Kenya - CFSK; cyber schools for curriculum content etc etc) and to learn from the very many schoolnet programs in Kenya and Africa. For example, IDRC funded schoolnets in Africa (including in Kenya) for over 10 years, these lessons are well documented. E.g. an external evaluation of Computer’s for schools Kenya program of providing computers to schools is quite instructive and worth reading at http://idl-bnc.idrc.ca/dspace/bitstream/10625/43675/1/130237.pdf . A “how to do guide” was also developed, documenting the entire cycle from sourcing the computers to eWaste management with lessons learned incorporated in the guide book – I’m sure copies can be gladly availed by CFSK.

Others have consolidated lessons about what works and what doesn’t across Africa (e.g. ROCARE network of researchers studying computer programs in schools and the impacts in Africa). We should learn not to reinvent, but draw on evidence!

We don’t seem interested in getting the model right, but “ticking the political box” saying that “laptops have been delivered by 1st January 2014! Looking at the entire cycle from procurement, teacher/student training, curriculum content provision, ongoing technical maintenance to eWaste disposal et etc is very critical! 

This list had a fairly extended discussion on this program some months ago – were these views consolidated and shared with the Ministry? Grace? Walu? I think it should be done as a start.

The Cabinet secretary should also be advised to hold a stakeholder’s forum to discuss experience and lessons so we have sustainable interventions!

Edith

From:kictanet [mailto:kictanet-bounces+eadera=idrc.ca at lists.kictanet.or.ke] On Behalf Of Walubengo J
Sent: May 30, 2013 11:46 AM
To: Edith Adera
Cc: KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions
Subject: [kictanet] 6,000 primary schools picked for free laptop project

Listers,

This project seems to have just kicked off on the wrong tangent...was wondering how they would select WHICH primary schools would get the laptops and was shocked to read:

>>  

He (Kaimenyi, Cabinet Sec. for Education)  said the availability of electricity and nearness to the main grid was the basis used in deciding the schools selection criteria.
In every three schools with electricity connection, the ministry has selected one school close to the mains grid and another one that is far away from the grid....

>> adopted from http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/?articleID=2000084770&story_title=6-000-primary-schools-picked-for-free-laptop-project&pageNo=2

Never mind that I thought these laptops would "solar-powered".  But now it looks like if you are lucky to live near an electricity pole, your luck doubles as you get a bonus benefit  of a laptop. If you happen to leave very far from one (think Pokot, Turkana, Tana River, Wajir, etc) your tough luck just got tougher.  I cant think of a better way of "extending" rather than "bridging" the digital divide..

walu.
nb: Mutoro:-sounds like you guys are going to have a very busy year in courts :-)
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