Namibia 2007: in the classroom

Namibia 2007: in the Classroom!

Part One: the Internet Connection

Objective: to assess the extent to which the internet connection and PCs supplied last year are used and whether there is scope for improvement

Part Two: the Classroom

Objective: fix it and fix it fast!

The Cast

Richard - Master Builder/Consultant, Tom - Deputy Builder, Grant - Miscellaneous/donkeywork

Dennis Mwandingi ("The Big D") - Network Administrator, Ministry of Education

Mariette (Teacher, Endola), Fillemon Haidula (ICT, Shituwa), John Namwoonde (Teacher, Endola)

Mr Kafula (Principal of Endola)
(No animals were harmed during the removal of this rib.)

PART ONE: THE INTERNET CONNECTION

I had a number of conversations with Dennis who also joined us for dinner one evening (along with "JP", a Namibian R&B popstar!).

We also had a meeting on IT issues with John and Marriette (the two teachers from Endola that have had the IT training that Namibia 2006 paid for); and Mr Fillemon Haidula (in charge of IT at Shituwa – and generally very knowledgeable about IT). We discussed:

how the current set-up was working;
how to make the more out of the PCs as a teaching aid; and
how to use the IT systems to generate revenue.

In summary:

Hardware

Endola has 2 PCs; internet connection; Ethernet switch and printer
Shituwa has 5 PCs and an internet connection (thanks to Namibia 2007)
Both connections are via a phone (with antenna) which can also be used to send SMS messages
The Shituwa connection uses a larger aerial which should enable even faster connections speeds.

Internet connection

The connection – 230 kb/s - is far superior to any other connection in the area. For example, Dennis’s office only has 67 kb/s.
Dennis explained that the connection is only in "test-phase" in other parts of Namibia and the schools are therefore in an enviable position.

Internet usage

The teachers are very happy with the internet and use it mostly for lesson planning. They also print worksheets.
We (principally Tom – who is a teacher in Bristol) showed John, Marriette and Fillemon a number of useful teaching websites. We saved these as favourites for them. They were particularly interested in the sites which explain the UK curriculum; outline lesson plans; and provide content (e.g. one of the websites enables teachers to generate puzzles (e.g. word searches) for use in class).
The teachers do not appear to have classes where the learners use the PCs etc. We wondered whether a projector might make this possible.

Training

John and Marriette have both received some training from Dennis and they are keen to complete this as soon as possible.

Generating revenue

I spoke to Dennis, Marriette, John and Fillemon about this. It was very encouraging to hear that:

there are already examples of internet connections being used to generate income in nearby areas (according to Dennis) and the school's superior internet connection means it is a real possibility for Endola/Shituwa
the Endola teachers have already thought about this in some detail, having already been approached by people who are interested in using the internet/PCs – e.g. principals of nearby schools.

We discussed the challenges faced in setting up a small ‘business’ to exploit the internet connection. Fillemon Haidula seemed well apprised of the issues and explained to us that he used to run a copy shop. In summary:

Timing/security: The Endola teachers envisage people paying to use the PCs/internet for 2/3 days a week. However, they need to think about whether their current security arrangements would be adequate.
Costing: It is difficult to set a price as the internet speed can fluctuate. It is easier however to set an hourly fee for use of word processing/training.
Networking: The PCs would need to be networked. Endola has a switch but needs a cable to connect their two PCs. The five PCs at Shituwa would, ideally, be networked wirelessly. The networking will not enable satisfactory multiple use of the internet because the connection will effectively be shared across the PCs making each PC very slow. However, it would be better for printing etc.
Power supply: Each school would need an emergency power supply (capable of saving draft emails etc in case of power cut). These are not expensive.
Advertising: The teachers thought that advertising in the local paper would be appropriate although it sounds as though a few people in the area are already interested.
Government assistance: I did read a couple of Namibian newspaper articles about Government assistance for IT in schools. However, according to the Endola teachers, the Government is giving priority to universities and colleges and primary schools cannot expect any assistance until 2015!
Other considerations: The teachers also asked me whether the PCs belong to the school or the community. I explained that they were owned by the school and learners and that any money earned should be used for the learners.

Overall, the teachers agreed that if they had the equipment which would enable networking plus the power supplies, they could have some kind of income within the next 6 months. Dennis will certainly be able to assist. In addition to being very impressive from a technical perspective, he is extremely easy to communicate with, trustworthy and conscious of the practical considerations.
Incidentally, Dennis mentioned to me that there is currently no IT position above him in the Government and it seems to me that the more he helps us the better his case is to get that job. He agreed!