Impressions: Lap classrooms

Imagine if the 2.2 million pupils in Rwanda could access a laptop. If every child’s learning experience was extended from a book to a web portal. This, years ago, ended at that but now the possibility seems closer home as One Laptop Per Child Association (OLPC) announce that the project has by now issued 10,000 laptops to primary schools across the country. According to the Program Coordinator, Richard Niyonkuru, the purchased laptops stand at 10,000 with expected 20,000 more by the end of the school year in November. “The government committed to buying 100,000 laptops by the end of next year. As per now, the contacts with OLPC have been finalised and the first batch is already scheduled for shipping. It should be here by the beginning of July,” said Niyonkuru. Niyonkuru noted that the program will take two phases. The first phase will target schools with already installed electricity. “We have already asked officials of all 30 districts to forward the list of schools that are ready to receive laptops. The lists will guide us in distribution when the laptops do finally arrive here.” Niyonkuru explained that the schools that do not have electricity have a plan of action in the pipeline that will see to it that they have solar energy. “We are working with the Ministry of Infrastructure so as to be able to provide solar energy to schools that don’t have electricity. Though the plans are still underway, they have committed to providing solar energy to 200 schools beginning next year.” Teachers will benefit from basic laptop usage training during the holidays and in-service training during the school year. “Kigali Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) has a learning centre in place and during the coming holidays, 700 teachers from across the country will be hosted here for training,” said Niyonkuru. Currently OLPC is 100,000 away from achieving its program target for the first phase and the government has already finalised the contractual agreement with the association. This will soon be doubled with personal purchases by parents and schools “We have called upon community members and Non Governmental Organisations to join hands with the government in purchasing these computers. We can all work together in making these computers accessible to all students in the country,” Niyonkuru said. The laptops cost the factory price of USD 200. “We have opened an account where parents can deposit money and the Ministry through OLPC will assist in buying of the machines.1000 parents have already committed to buying the machines and we hope that more will especially since the price is bound to go lower with time.” Niyonkuru adds that the ministry is in negotiations with local banks so as to come up with a loan plan for parents who can’t raise the needed funds to buy the laptops. A laptop will not only make the learning experience easier but it will give the students a platform where they can access and share more research materials. This should give the children a chance and the leverage they need to access 21st century knowledge at a mere click of a button. Email: pgathoni@gmail.com