Tools:
Project management, research, stakeholder engagement, partnerships, issues management and community relations.
Technology in education is essential in developing countries to enable children to catch up with their developed world counterparts, also known as 'technology leapfrogging'. Starting at the primary level to improve learning outcomes ensures longer term economic sustainability.
In addition, giving under-represented young people the opportunity to implement the technical and training aspects of the projects ensures local and long-term ownership. Rebecca was the Project Manager, Kenya and Uganda. Partners included the Department for International Development (DFID), the Aga Khan Foundation, Price Waterhouse Coopers, Dubai Cares and Avanti Plc.
Challenges:
Governments and NGOs/non-profits have implemented technology in schools in East Africa, but it has often been piecemeal and badly coordinated. Abandoned hardware is often discovered in schools due to lack of training and maintenance. There is a need to coordinate effectively with governments, provide an end-to-end solution, monitor and evaluate results.
In rural communities, schools priorities are often not technology, but basic needs like food, water and sanitation. In addition, schools are faced with ongoing power blackouts and teacher strikes.
Strategy:
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Partnerships. Open and honest relationships, continuous virtual meetings and detailed reporting ensure smooth project roll-out, reduced duplication of efforts and therefore, financial prudence, with development agencies, governments and private sector partners.
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Participation. Robust research, sensitisation, face-to-face communication, detailed memorandums of understanding (MoUs), training for teachers, children, parents, district officials and the wider community to ensure effective participation and ownership.
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End-to-end solution. Research, provision of hardware and software, curriculum development, training at all levels, real-time monitoring and evaluation, maintenance and support, all provide a complete solution to ensure sustainability and that learning outcomes are improved.
Results:
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3500 + teachers trained. Camara's largest ever training programme.
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Hardware and software deployed in over 450 schools.
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Gender equality: 50:50 female teachers, children and local government officials involved.
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Brand new concept of mobile technology introduced in rural areas.
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New technology (ICT) curriculum developed with the governments of Kenya and Uganda.
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35 marginalised young people in Kenya and Uganda trained to ensure long-term employment opportunities.
