Mayanja M. (2003) Uganda School-Based Telecenters: an approach to rural access to ICTs in TechKnowLogia

Online: http://portal.unesco.org/ci/en/file_download.php/7381b8813f62bade501ccded61985868Mayanja.pdf

The article reviews the experience of School based Telecentres funded by the World Links program. Fifteen school based telecentres have been set up across Uganda, the project started in 2001, telecentres were operational by 2002. Eleven of them use VSAT technology, while the other four ar connected with spread spectrum technology through the VSAT hub of one of the school. School based telecentres function as MCTs but they benefit of their position having a strong link with the community, being education-oriented, and maximizing resource use in after school hours. They forecast to offer social service as telemedice and e-commerce.

SchoolNet Uganda administrates and coordinates the sites, while locally a teacher is appointed as telecentre manager, and exist a local management committee. Three are the challenges that telecentres have to face: lack of reliable electric power, adequate time of operation, identifying community needs.