OLPC launched

• 300 laptops distributed GASAB0 - Three hundred pupils from Kagugu Primary School in Gasabo district, Friday received Laptop computers during the official launch of the One Laptop Per child (OLPC) program. The Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Theoneste Mutsindashyaka, thanked President Paul Kagame for liaising with his friend Nicolae Negroponte, the proprietor of OLPC project, who offered Rwanda’s education sector the Laptops. “This is a very remarkable day in the records of the Rwandan education sector and the country as a whole. The 5000 laptop computers donated to us, are going to greatly impact education here. This has been possible due to the president’s initiative,” said Mutsindashyaka. “I thank everyone who has partnered with us like RITA and KIST in this historical breakthrough,” he added. The minister urged local leaders, relevant authorities and teachers to look after the laptops. The minister in charge of ICT in the president’s office, Romain Murenzi congratulated the pupils upon getting laptops, and also congratulated the country upon achieving this, that it was a big stride in setting ground for an ICT based economy. “This is a mile taken in the journey of achieving our vision most especially the vision 2020, where we have a component making Rwanda a knowledge based economy through ICT, having children equipped with computer skills from primary school shows how feasible our vision is” said Murenzi. “The world is fast becoming a global village, and Rwanda also needs to be part of this interaction. The fact that primary pupils are getting computers, implies that the country is in a position to benefit from the knowledge and information, this will also promote critical thinking, innovation and happiness to these pupils, which is relevant to progress,” added Murenzi. During an Interview The New Times had with the representative of OLPC in Rwanda Juliano Bittencourt, he revealed that OLPC as a company is happy with the reception Rwanda has given this project. “OLPC is very proud to start a big roll out in Rwanda, we are very impressed by the reception people have given us. OLPC is a dream that should be nurtured by people around the world” said Bittencourt. “We are very fortunate to have started with Rwanda, we shall continue supporting it in technical training and machinery”he added.Two more primary schools; Nonko primary school in Kicukiro and Rwamagana B will be the next to receive a share of the 5000 laptops. Ends