Amidst growing stakeholder participation…
– project aims at computerizing all Secondary Schools in Guyana
“Broad community involvement is the way to ensure that schools and students derive the full benefits of newly installed computer labs,” says Geoffrey DaSilva, Chief Executive Office of the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest).

“Stakeholder and partner participation is key to ensuring that the resources, systems, and infrastructure are used to the best advantage now – and sustained for future use by those coming up from behind in the lower grades,” he said.

Mr. DaSilva is Chairperson of the local NGO, Global Literacy (Guyana), which has the mandate to implement SchoolNet Guyana, a project to install a computer lab in each of Guyana’s secondary schools, and to help with the development of an ICT curriculum, collaborative learning, teacher training, data repository and school administration software.

DaSilva is joined by Elizabeth Cox (Consultant), Paul Geer (FIU), Brian King (GuyEnterprise), Andrew Mancey (Devnet), Harry Parmesar (Accountant), Conrad Plummer (Consultant), Colin Thompson (Caricom) and Angelique Williams (Digicel), who comprise the local management board in partnership with Global Literacy’s country Representative, Surujdai Ramraj.

The lead partner in the project is the Ministry of Education which signed an MOU with Global Literacy in 2008.

Mr. DaSilva said that experience has shown that one of the most critical elements in this type of project is the leadership role of Headteachers.

This is completely new territory for many teachers who have been in the system for a while. The learning experience can sometimes be intimidating. Students born into this iPod/cell phone generation have grown up with and adapt easily to the new technologies. And those who are fortunate enough to have computers at home may sometimes initially appear to be further ahead of the curve than their teachers. These are challenges in starting a new program.

But it is essential that computers be installed in Guyana’s schools in order to close the gap and bridge the digital divide that now separates developed and developing countries. Computers have evolved from calculating and processing machines – the domain of the few – to become learning platforms, communication devices, collaborative tools and more. They have found their way into almost every type of workplace, making their integration into the school curriculum a necessity.

The degree of success in each school will depend on the leadership role taken by the HMs. In many cases, they will be climbing the learning curve and at the same time orienting themselves in best practices, securing and scheduling teaching resources, and dealing with large and small details that appear relatively simple, but that can derail the process if neglected.

Then they have to step back and play a leadership role in empowering, motivating and directing their staff to take up the challenge of integrating the new facilities into their toolkit of teaching aids.

Another success factor is an active and involved PTA and/or School Board. They can be of great assistance in bringing additional experience and expertise into play. Involvement in their students’ education helps provide a feedback channel that quickly identifies issues before they become problems. Part of the SchoolNet plan is to engage and help build capacity in the PTAs and School Boards

Businesses also have a role to play. The end point of all this is not just to have computers installed but to turn out a skilled workforce with skills in their own rights to build a productive life and livelihood. In the process, businesses benefit from a competent workforce pool, the government benefits and the country benefits.

Some of the companies that have already stepped up to become program partners, for example, are Nand Persaud communications with computer maintenance and installation help, Guyana Chronicle, NCN and GuyEnterprise are helping to build awareness of the program, Shiek Hassan Printery provides materials, GT&T is providing data services at the pilots schools at discounted rates, DevNet lends Linux and networking expertise and Vish Panday Associates assists with network accessories and supplies.

All of these Groups – teachers, HMs, PTAs, commercial business partners, volunteers, government and ministry representatives will gather tomorrow to celebrate the launch of the SchoolNet pilot at Diamond Secondary School, East Bank Demerara.

Guyana spends almost 20% of its budget on education, making it a leader among countries in this commitment. And Guyanese have responded by producing some of the best scholars and regularly topping the CGX examinations.

This project is breaking new ground in building on the infrastructure that the government is funding with scarce dollars, and in a small way, tries to nudge the mindset away from looking towards the government to provide everything, by engaging volunteers, stakeholders and partners in a way that generates a return to the entire community.