The Way Forward An SNA Perspective

1
The Way Forward An SNA Perspective

• Satellite and Wireless Connectivity for Rural
  Schools and Development

2
Achievements

• Conscientisation
• Greater stakeholder awareness
• Way issues affect different stakeholders
• The challenges that face us
• The potential solutions

3
Achievements

• Stronger Partnership Prospects
• At regional level with regional stakeholders
• At national level between national stakeholders
• General Agreement on Developmental approach

4
Noting

• Some important stakeholders not present
• Much of discussion focused on technology
  dimension and less on (educational) application

5
The Way Forward

• POLICY
• Stakeholders will collaborate on appropriate
  policy interventions and implementation at
  national and regional level
• In Education Awareness raising and campaigning
  for a Free Rate in Universal Service/Access
  obligations to educational institutions
  especially schools

6
The Way Forward

• TECHNOLOGY
• Consider a range of ICT solutions
• Technical capacity building
• An education bird in the sky
• Affordable ICT-solutions appropriate to local
  conditions
• Wired/wireless lans
• Refurbs/new (with minimum specs for refurb use)
• Range of connectivity solutions
• Low end (radio) to high end (internet)
• Open Standards
• Refurb centres and help desks

7
The Way Forward

• COST AND SUSTAINABILITY
• Awareness and discussion on sustainability model
  proposed
• Preferential pricing for new ICTs bought from
  private sector (significant discount)
• Tax exemption on imports destined for schools
• Price fixing for imported refurbs
• Universal service/access funds at national level
• Emphasis on Local Direct Investment

8
The Way Forward

• PARTNERSHIPS
• SchoolNets to cement partnerships with Telecom
  Regulators, Telcos and Ministries of Education
  and Telecommunications at national level
• SchoolNets to partner with private sector at
  local level
• SNA to cement partnerships with African
  Connection and World Links in Africa and Regional
  Private Sector partners around concrete
  objectives

9
Upcoming Events

• ICT in African Schools A workshop of schoolnet
  practitioners and policymakers (Botswana 27
  April to 2 May 2003)
• eAfrica Summit in Mozambique in June 2003
• SchoolNet South Africa conference in September
  2003 (African focus)
• World Summit on Information Society December
  2003 in Geneva

10
Actions

• Release workshop report to all participants by 15
  December 2003
• Distribute workshop report among key
  stakeholders
• Distribute the research report on wireless
  solutions for African schools