ICT in Education: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Challenges

1
ICT in EducationStrengths, Weaknesses,Opportuni
ties, and Challenges

• Albert Nsengiyumva
• ICT in Education
• Partnership Building Workshop
• June 3, 2009

2
Mapping the Role of Education in Implementing The
Vision 2020
National information Communication Infrastructure
plan (NICI II PLAN)
Education Sector Strategic Plan 2006 2010
ICT In Education Strategic Plan
3
ICT In Education Strategic Plan Five Focus Areas

• Content Development and Delivery
• Capacity Development and Teaching
• Infrastructure and Access
• Innovative Solutions
• Monitoring and Evaluation

4
Strengths

• Existing ICT in Education projects and programs
  within MINEDUC and learning institutions
• Existing draft ICT in Education Policy as a
  guiding document
• Existing pillar of ICT in Education Pillar within
  the NICI Plan
• Establishment of the REB/ICT in Education and
  ODeL

5
Weaknesses

• Low level of access and usage of ICT in the
  education system
• Low community/school readiness to accept and
  integrate ICT
• High cost of access and usage of ICT
• Limited human capacity to leverage ICT in
  education
• Lack of coordination amongst the various ICT
  initiatives
• Lack of prioritization
• Limited availability of digital learning material
• Lack of effective monitoring and evaluation
• Lack of clear understanding of linkages between
  ICT and expected Education outcomes
• Lack of project management skills

6
Opportunities

• To partner with local institutions, international
  development partners, and private companies
• To link with regional and international
  initiatives working on ICT in Education and ODeL
• To benefit from an economy of scale for learning
  institutions and MINEDUC implementing agencies
• To develop a national, cross-border, and
  submarine communication network
• To gain commitment from the Government to support
  ICT in Education

7
Challenges

• Limited ICT in education resources
• Expertise turnover in learning institutions
• Lack of awareness about the benefits and
  limitations of ICT in education
• Limited infrastructure such as power,
  connectivity, and equipment
• Limited ongoing technical and pedagogical support
  to schools
• Limited participation of local institutions
  (private, public and civil society) in ICT in
  education
• High recurring cost

8
Key Result Areas

• Development and capacity building for learning
  institutions, MINEDUC, and MINEDUC implementing
  agencies
• High speed and affordable connectivity for
  learning institutions, MINEDUC, and MINEDUC
  implementing agencies
• Conducive policy and regulatory environment
• Content development and distribution within the
  country and the region
• Deployment of ICT infrastructure and maintenance
  within the Education system
• Establishment and operation of ICT in Education
  and ODeL Department within REB

9
Strategic IssuesDevelopment and capacity
building at learning institutions, MINEDUC, and
MINEDUC implementing agencies

• Each member institution to acquire ICT equipment,
  sustainable power, and support structure
• Expertise to support ICT in Education
• Awareness of the importance of ICT in Education
• Development of internships
• Teacher professional development

10
Strategic IssuesHigh-Speed, Affordable
Connectivity at learning institutions, MINEDUC,
and MINEDUC implementing agencies

• Connecting member institutions to the national
  fiber backbone and the submarine cable
• Technical and management capacity

11
Strategic IssuesInstitutional Sustainability

• Sustainable business model
• Human resources capacity and retention
• Cost recovery model
• Building of institutional identity and public
  relations
• Mode of governance
• Building confidence among member institutions and
  the ICT in Education Coordination Unity

12
Strategic IssuesConducive Policy and Regulatory
Environment

• Influence development of conducive policies
• Access to Universal Access Funds (UAF) to pay for
  connectivity and other related costs
• Access to cross-border connectivity and to peers
  with similar ICT in Education initiatives in the
  region
• Special treatment to access International
  gateways
• Subsidized Cost of services
• Close working relationships with policymakers,
  regulators, and other strategic stakeholders,
  nationally and regionally

13

• THANK YOU