Intel addresses education in Africa

By Kimberly Guest for Intel

Johannesburg, 31 May 2006

Intel included SA and Nigeria this morning in an initiative to improve teaching and learning, which will see 8 000 PCs distributed through education departments in these countries.

The announcement follows the introduction of Intel`s global World Ahead initiative earlier this month by president and CEO Paul Otellini. The initiative aims to speed up access to technology and information in developing markets and will see over $1 billion of investment from Intel over the next five years, including the donation of 100 000 PCs worldwide.

It includes increasing the number of teachers to be trained through the Intel Teach to the Future programme. To date, more than 30 000 local educators have been trained through the project.

Mark Beckford, GM of Intel`s emerging markets platforms group, is in SA to contribute to panels at the World Economic Forum on Africa. Intel, he says, is working with the South African government, SA Council for Educators and educators themselves to ensure teacher training and donated PCs are implemented in a holistic, sustainable manner that supports 21st century teaching and learning.

Digital transformation

"Intel is committed to digital transformation in Africa. Since opening its South African office 10 years ago, Intel has become involved in a growing number of programmes and initiatives in the region. Many of these focus on education for all Africans.

"Today`s PC donation, in conjunction with Intel initiatives such as Teach to the Future and the Skoool online curriculum content, are aimed at improving teaching and learning through the effective integration of ICT," says Beckford.

Focusing on its four tier implementation model of appropriate technology, teacher training, relevant content, and connectivity for the effective use of technology in education, Intel is planning to partner with a local content provider to deliver its online curriculum.

Furthermore, the company has been working closely with a number of fixed-line and mobile operators in Africa to drive the implementation of wireless connectivity technology that can scale faster and offer more cost-effective deployment, such as WiMax.

According to Beckford, this strategy has been instrumental in aligning the eco-system to enable Africa`s first WiMax enabled school in Ghana, Africa`s first mobile e-learning school in Nigeria, and a comprehensive digital inclusion programme, with government support, in Ghana.

The deputy director-general of education, Penny Vinjevold, was present to acknowledge and accept Intel`s commitment of PCs and teacher training on behalf of the Department of Education. A plaque symbolising this commitment was presented to Vinjevold by Beckford.