Schools in Rwanda awaiting 100 000 computers

The One Laptop per Child (OLPC), a government initiative in Rwanda, is considering importing 100 000 computers to boost the programme’s overall efficiency.

The New Times reported that the coordinator of the OLPC programme, Richard Niyonkuru said that they want to extend the programme to reach private schools. He said that the ministry wanted to import only 10 000 computers, but Pres. Paul Kagame ordered via the ICT ministry, 100 000 computers.

The OLPC programme was launched last year September in the hopes to extend ICT services to research all the children in Rwanda, starting at primary schools. According to Niyonkuru talks to implement the programme started in 2004, but steps had to be taken to ensure a safe and child-friendly computer, which would enhance the overall learning experience in secondary schools.

According to The New Times, 50 percent of all the primary schools in Rwanda should have access to these computers by 2012.-Natalie Grobler