ICT for Education

During our first five years of operation, Digital Links has focused the majority of our resources on the provision of ICT hardware to schools and health centres in the poorest areas of Africa, Asia and Eastern Europe. However, it is increasingly evident that physical access to PCs alone is not enough. It does not provide a genuine response to the challenges of education in Africa and the developing world. For the next five years, and following consultations with the beneficiaries and policy makers for education in Africa, Digital Links has decided to expand our service offer in order to create better opportunities for ICT skills development. Going forward Digital Links, in addition to computer hardware, will provide digital learning resources and materials for teachers and learners.

Through content providers and partners for knowledge, primary school teachers and students will have access to a range of learning materials covering maths, science and English.

We are also working to develop an ICT program for secondary school students drawing from the best knowledge available worldwide and integrating existing African curricula with a range of additional courses identified by the top corporate players in the technology world (Vodaphone, BT, Google, etc.). This will help students to develop the skills necessary to join the modern workforce and marketplace.

ICT can transform learning for young people in African schools lacking resources. A few CD ROMs may carry more information than a school library, and where there is internet access; teachers have even more information at their fingertips. A school computer lab allows students to learn in exciting new ways, while acquiring computing skills that will enable employment opportunities later on. With the added provision of ICT e-learning curricula, students are given an opportunity to learn in an innovative, interactive and internationally relevant manner, increasing the marketability of their skills and improving employment opportunities.