Ted Sells & 'Big Blue' mobile computer lab

In Zimbabwe

We work in collaboration with Educational Technology Centre (ETC), which is part of the Zimbabwe Ministry of Education and other local ICT NGO’s (Worldlinls Zimbabwe and Peace Child Zimbabwe) . The Beit Trust's representative in Zimbabwe also monitors the allocation and use of the machines. ETC have done an excellent job in maintaining the computer programme in very difficult circumstances. Their mobile computer laboratory 'Big Blue' is equipped with 10 CFAS computers and tours rural schools without electricity. It won an award at the 2002 Swedish International IT forum. So far there has been no significant political interference with the allocation and use of computers. Note that this is a completely separate programme from that under which President Mugabe is personally distributing computers.

The process in Zimbabwe involves:

Checking the computers, loading them with software and fitting modems to at least one computer for each school. Computers are normally loaded with Windows 2000.
Selecting suitable schools. Computers are allocated to schools by agreement between the Ministry of Education, ETC and CFAS. Each school normally receives at least ten computers, as this is considered the minimum number needed to run an effective course. Preference has been given to schools in poor areas that are offering 'A' level courses, but now almost all secondary schools with electricity have received computers. Particularly in the Bulawayo area computers are also going to some large primary schools.
Checking they have the necessary facilities including a secure room, adequate electric points and preferably telephone facilities for access to the Internet.
Ensuring that trained staff are in the school. Some teachers now go on attachment to ETC to receive training in upgrading and maintaining computers, so that they can provide a service to the schools in their cluster grouping.
Delivering computers, supervising initial installation and providing continuing support. Each school is required to give a report on their experience with the computers and are also subject to audit. A Zimbabwean Internet provider has agreed to give schools one year's free access to the internet.

We have also sent 60 computers to the University of Zimbabwe including 30 to the department of Mathematics, 10 to the Tropical Resources Ecology Programme, 60 to a charity Peacechild Zimbabwe and 12 to the Institute of Water and Sanitation Development for use in training courses for engineers.

For more information, please visit our Zimbabwe schools page.