Empowering Youth and Connecting Schools: Lessons from the SchoolNet Namibia approach

Abstract

Schools in developing countries are beginning to get computers and access to the Internet. They are using them in teaching and administration; learners also use them to become computer and Internet literate. Resulting from an evaluation commissioned by Sida, this infobrief draws on the SchoolNet Namibia approach and its achievements. It suggests that programmes like this should give priority to the provision of affordable access using open platforms, pay attention to longer term cost of ownership issues, leverage change through partnerships, work closely with governments, involve school principals and teachers, and seek to ensure that necessary capacities are developed in schools themselves. This infobrief was prepared as part of a review of SchoolNet Namibia commissioned by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). The full evaluation report is available here