With Canadian assistance…
– under ShoolNet Guyana programme
A CANADIAN non-profit organisation (NFO), Global Partnership for Literacy (Global Literacy) is working with the Ministry of Education on a project aimed at computerising all secondary schools in Guyana.

The undertaking, SchoolNet Guyana is computer-based and the objective is to integrate Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in approximately 120 secondary schools, targeting 95,000 students, countrywide.

The scheme has five key elements:

* System wide ICT infrastructure: a lab in each school, consisting of a small LAN of 25-35 Pentium 4 computers, Internet connection and video projection;

* Professional development: training for approximately 3,500 teachers in computers and computer-aided instructions, so they can integrate ICT into the curriculum;

* Digital content: assist the Ministry to develop online content and access to information on Guyana for educational purposes that is a Google on Guyana, including a local digital library, consisting of Government information, historical and current reports, research papers, etc;

* Software: assist the Ministry in securing software that improves the delivery of education and increases the efficiency of its management system (student management software, distance learning and digital delivery modules), and

* ICT dissemination: collaborating with the Education Ministry, Government and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to develop programmes that extend the benefits of ICT beyond the classroom, more specifically through a series of community kiosks across the country to the Internet, provide after school programmes, distance learning modules and serve, generally, as internet cafés.

Global Literacy, the principal sponsor, is a Diaspora-based NGO spearheaded by a board of well qualified individuals from academia, the social sciences, business, engineering, technology and project management, with on-the-ground support from the Ministry of Education.

COMMITTED
The NFO is committed to promoting literacy in Canada and internationally in partnership with private and public entities and individuals, with a vision to empower people and communities through literacy.

The Ministry and the NFO are to jointly implement SchoolNet Guyana in accordance with a signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), with joint funding by the two parties, over five years.

Global Literacy and the Ministry are currently working on five pilot school programmes at Diamond Secondary, which have been completed and the others at Bygeval, Patentia, Beterverwagting and Parika.

To meet its commitments locally, Global Literacy is seeking contributions also from partnership groups in the Diaspora, alumni associations, private and public sector agencies, education foundations and equipment suppliers.

Global Literacy was formed two years ago and is establishing SchoolNet chapters in Canada, United States (U.S.) and the United Kingdom (UK), to assist with the acquisition of funds, equipment, technical expertise and promotion of the scheme.

SchoolNet Guyana seeks to support the national ICT strategy to expand its use in education and help bridge the digital divide; assist the school alumni and community groups to realise positive outcomes of their investment in school programmes in Guyana and promote computer-aided literacy in Guyana.

Chairperson of Global Literacy and Guyana’s Honorary Consul General in Toronto, Canada, Mr. Danny Doobay, in an interview with Guyana Chronicle recently, said its founding was in response to the need to computerise the schools here and some level of frustration amongst Diaspora communities that were donating computers to this country.

He said, in some cases, when the computers arrive here, there was no infrastructure and relevant system in place and the process needs a more holistic approach to ensure electricity, furniture, training, a curriculum, maintenance plan and security arrangements are available.

Doobay said, when the donor community and the alumni organisations in Canada send donations here, there is no one to put them in place and, in many instances, the items go missing or do not end up the right places.

He said the organisation is working with the Diaspora to solicit their support for putting the resources together and then partner with the Ministry of Education on the local front.

“Generally, what we have developed in Global Literacy is a partnership approach,” Doobay said.

He said one supporter is Microsoft, which provides Global Literacy with software for the programme, costing about Cdn$16,000 per school.

Doobay disclosed that, so far, 37 schools have been sponsored and all the pilot programmes are expected to be completed in a few days time.

He said, next year, Global Literacy is hoping to implement SchoolNet Guyana in 50 high schools and is working with Parent Teachers Associations (PTAs), the Ministry of Education, the corporate sector and some NGOs that focus on youths and education.

ESTABLISHED
Doobay disclosed that the partners have established a local management council in Guyana that is headed by Mr. Geoffrey DaSilva and comprises a number of other professionals.

Additionally, Global Literacy has hired a country representative in Surujdai Ramraj and is in the process of being registered as an NGO with an office in the making, he stated.

The Management Council overseeing the operations of Global Literacy – Guyana will report directly to and be accountable to the Board of Directors in Canada, Doobay said.

According to him, the Council will be appointed by the Board and would provide oversight to the management and staff of Global Literacy in Guyana; oversee the implementation of Global Literacy’s programme in Guyana; assist the Country Manager in identifying new opportunities and developing new programmes; build partnerships and provide strategic support to the Country Manager while making recommendations to the Board from time to time.

Doobay said the key goals of Global Literacy Guyana are to implement the SchoolNet Guyana programme and build capacity and ensure sustainability while working with the stakeholders, encouraging technology creation and developing a strong SchoolNet brand.

He said the next group of schools that have been identified for inclusion are Anna Regina Multilateral, Mackenzie High, Mahaicony Secondary, Bush Lot Secondary and Corentyne Comprehensive, each estimated to cost about Cdn$65,000.

SchoolNet Guyana envisages that, by 2013, every educator and learner in the secondary education stream will be empowered to use appropriate and available technology in completing the curriculum requirements of their programmes.

Global Literacy has secured President Bharrat Jagdeo’s endorsement for the initiative and, in discussions with the board, he indicated that he was particularly interested in seeing rural and outlying districts covered by the programme.

The Board of Global Literacy, apart from Chairman Doobay; Vice- Chairman, Infrastructure Committee, Mr. Wilfred McAlmont; Chairman, Mobilisation Committee, Mr. Ron Cheong; Treasurer, Ms. Lisa Punit; Chairperson, Training Committee, Ms. Mary Nippak; Chairperson, Marketing Committee and Secretary, Ms. Rookie Doobay; and Chairman, Partnership Committee, Mr. Michael Annamunthodo with Ms. Waheeda Rahman and Dr. Jang Singh as other directors.
The Chairman of the Advisory Committee is Mr. Frank Fernandes.