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BRIDGING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE IN COMMUNITY

SCHOOLSCHEP’s Experience

By: Kafusha C Mfula Information Systems Officer

Copperbelt Health Education Project (CHEP)

Bridging the Digital Divide is when people are have access to Computers, Internet

and other ICTs and the ability to effectively use this technology for any development

activity.

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Presentation Objective

• To share CHEP’s experience in the implementation and integration of ICTs at Ipusukilo Community Schools.

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About CHEP

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• Founded in 1988 as a Health Project within the Rotary Club of Kitwe

• Registered as an NGO under the Registrar of Societies in 1988

• 10 years later, reregistered as a Company Limited by Guarantee with the Registrar of Companies.

• Now a Technical Support organization providing Technical Support to over 50 community based organizations

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Why Community School

Programme ?

As a result of HIV

• Increased the number of children orphaned by HIV and AIDS

• Increased child headed homes• Death of parents means no school, no

food and increased street kids• In 2002 it was estimated that 600,000

children of school going aged are out of school

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Source of the figures: SFH “Zambia Where we Find ourselves” (2002)

CHEP Community SchoolsProgramme

ICT IntegrationPilot Project

CHEP

Description of Comm. School• The 4 schools were

initiated by CHEP in conjunction with the Community.

• They have community school committees in charge of running the school.

• Children do not pay school fees and no obligations for uniforms, school shoes etc

• They are based within the community

• Caters for orphans and Vulnerable children only 8

Ipusukilo Community School• Started in 1996 under a

guava tree, with 28 pupils & 2 teachers

• The school has 843 Children out of whom 389 are orphaned children.

• 142 are single orphaned• 247 are double orphaned• Age ranges from 5 – 16

years• It has Teachers• 10 committee members

435

136

408

111

050

100150200250300350400450

Female Male

Pupils Orphans

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Activities in Community Schools

Children Learn how to read and write

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Do Learn other Practical Skills such as Carpentry

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Children have time to Play and have fun with each other

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They Do Controlled Physical Exercising

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Why ICT inCommunity Schools ?

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Why ICT in Comm. School?• In the process of weaning off the school,

we wanted teachers to be empowered with computing skills.

• School should be able to integrate the Taonga Radio Programme in school activities.

• To improve the communication between Teachers and stakeholders

• To build the capacity of teachers to use ICT to improve their teaching.

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Our Objectives • To train Community School teachers to use ICTs

creatively, so that ICTs makes a big difference in the way they teach

• To train teachers to use the Internet in order that they are updated with the latest developments in their field.

• To use computers to exchange lesson plans with their colleagues.

• Be able to communicate more frequently with the guardian of pupils.

• To increase the usage of ICTs in Community School

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ICTs Integratio

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ICTs Implementation process

CHEP agreed with the teachers

Share the Vision with Stakeholders

Skills Audit

Developed of Training Materials

Training of teachers in computers and Taonga

The school was empowered with

resources to start IGAs

7 teachers (3 Men & 4 Women)received ICTs training

regularly to update their ability to integrate ICTs in teaching

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ICT Training Content • Introduction Computers • Typing • Microsoft windows environment• Microsoft Office Application • Use Internet

– Email – Internet browsing

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Taonga Radio Programme

• 2 Teachers went to a Taonga Radio programme training.

• The training were facilitated by Ministry of Education

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Results • All the teachers that were trained are able to use

computer • The school has an email address which is very active. • Teachers are able to use internet and do their research

with problems.• The school can submitted typed reports and proposals to

donors • Developed new strategic partnership because of use of

internet • The teacher now uses SMS or Voice Call to contact the

guardian if need arises

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Result Contd…• The school has been implementing the Taonga Radio

Programme.• From a Typewriter to Laptop • Because of use of ICTs Ipusukilo has managed to establish a

partnership with Hazelbury Junior School and Kingsmead Community School of UK.

• Children who attend Taonga Class are doing better than pupils from non Taonga class.

• Improved attendance in Parent Community School Committee meeting has a result of teachers can send SMS reminder to Committee members.

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Challenges• Poor Infrastructure

– the building is rented – no electricity

• Community School has only one computer administrative work.

• Teachers whom we gave a scholarship to do professional teaching have moved to government schools.

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Key Lessons Learnt• Utilisation of ICT is the best approach to

community development• Development should be value driven• Sustainability of ICT is only possible if people

at local level are involved• Introducing of pupils to ICT is an opportunity

to secure the future or e-learning .

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Thank You

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