The Ministry of Education (Mineduc) has announced plans to upgrade the One Laptop per Child (OLPC) programme to One Digital ID per child, in a bid to help learners easily access lessons, homework, report cards and personal files.

This was announced Wednesday as Mineduc entered a partnership with US-based software giant Microsoft Corporation for the latter to champion the exercise.

VIDEO: One Digital ID Per Child Program in Rwanda. Source: The New Times/YouTube

Addressing journalists at Mineduc offices in Kacyiru, Prof. Silas Lwakabamba, the Education minister, said with the evolving technology, it was not of benefit for students to have the laptops without connectivity.

"Having devices in schools is not enough,we want to have cloud software which will enable interaction between staff and students so that instead of us talking of One Laptop Per Child, we talk of one identity per child,” he said.

He said with cloud computing technologies, like Microsoft Office 365 available, educative materials could be accessed on the cloud from any device by students using their identities, a better cost effective method.

The ministry has in the recent past signed different agreements with Microsoft and it is expected that the software company will roll out the Microsoft Office 365 cloud and offline computing solution to all Rwandan students and also avail full broadband internet at the University of Rwanda, Huye Campus.

Also to benefit is the Huye-based secondary school, Groupe Scolaire Officiale de Butare, under a project that will be implemented in the next two years.

The roll-out is expected to ensure that students at various certification programmes attain basic computing skills needed for the job market using computer applications like Microsoft Word, Excel and Power Point.

Todd Haugen, general manager at Microsoft Wi-fi, said once students have access to the internet connectivity, their identification will give them access to shared work spaces and shared educative content, thus leveling the education playing ground and their future opportunities.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw