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As
a manager of a refurbishment
centre, it is important
to work with many partners
and organisations, mobilising
their expertise and resources
and generally raising awareness
regarding the need for ICTs
to be used in schools. Especially
in the early years when
the centre is becoming established,
the list of local people
and organisations supporting
the project should be extensive.
Once established, a number
of strategic joint ventures
or partnerships should be
in place to assist the centre
with core responsibilities.
A
Board of Directors must
be established, and the
membership of the Board
should be a good mirror
of this involvement, with
key stakeholders from
the public, education
and ICT sectors serving
on the Board.
It
is important for managers
of technical service centres
to understand policy and
regulation related to
information and communication
technologies (ICT). Through
doing this they can begin
to engage and influence
policy processes affecting
ICT adoption and implementation
at all levels, while focusing
mainly on introducing
computer technology and
Internet access to schools
in the country.
When
locating premises for
the refurbishment centre,
there are many issues
that need to be taken
into consideration:
- Security Requirements
- Centre Requirements:
- Adequate space
–storage of
stock needs to be
considered
- Air-conditioning
- Power supply -
Technical aspects
such as uneven power
supply must be taken
into consideration
- Infrastructure
and necessary equipment
– including
phone lines, modems
and printers
For
example, SchoolNet Namibia
(SNN) has been a driving
force in creating a broad
communal commitment to
provide Internet access
points for all schools
in Namibia. A number of
key stakeholders, nationally
and internationally, have
pledged to assist in the
development of SchoolNet
Namibia to ensure that
their investment is translated
into internet access with
effective educational
outcomes; not merely equipment
dissemination.
Through
these partnerships, SNN
has established an Internet
Service (ISP) with a reduced-cost
national number for dial-up
clients; especially for
those with remote and
poor Telecom infrastructure.
A toll-free number for
help-desk and technical
support services has also
been established.
The
aim of SchoolNet Namibia
is to provide sustainable
low-cost technology solutions
for internet to all Namibian
schools, community-based
educational organisations
and educational practitioners
through:
- Management
of computer network
installation projects
on behalf of the Ministries
of Education, Non-Governmental
organisations, donors
and private sector companies
- Provision
and implementation of
low cost networking
options to schools and
educators, by the utilisation
of new and refurbished
equipment and stable
open source (free) software
- Provision
of affordable, subsidised
internet to schools
and educational practitioners
using both landline
and wireless solutions
-
Technical skills and
curriculum development
-
Provision of low-cost
and low-risk technology
testbeds for replication
- It
also provides similar
services and support
to community-based educational
organisations and educational
practitioners in Namibia.
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