Schools Sustainability Issues

IICD held a workshop in November 2003 at Microlink Training Department in Lusaka, Zambia on sustainability issues surrounding ICT in schools. Educators shared experiences on using computers in the school setting, the challenges they face, and how to ensure that programmes to put computers in the classroom are meeting the needs of Zambian students. The session resulted in strategies to ensure the sustainability of school computer labs.

I. Participants
Chongwe High School, Chongwe (Head Teacher, GTP coordinator, PTA Treasurer)
Birdsfield School, Lusaka (Assistant Accountant)
Olympia School, Lusaka (Deputy Head Teacher, GTP Coordinator)
Mufulira High School, Mufulira (IT Trust Coordinator)

II. Procedures
The session was informal in nature, and centered around discussions on how computers were currently being used in all the schools, the problems that are being faced by the schools in using the computers, and ways in which the individual schools are addressing sustainability of the use of the computers in their schools. The lively discussions were a means for the less experienced schools to draw from the ample experience of the Mufulira School, whose representative was very helpful in sharing his school’s approach and successes. In the afternoon time was spent on enhancing the participants’ ability to effectively search for information available on the web that addresses the problems highlighted during the morning’s discussions, as well as find resources that can aid the participants in using the computers and internet for teaching purposes. The session ended with a return to the wealth of ideas touched upon in the morning, leading to a brainstorming on strategies that can aid in making the use of computers and internet more sustainable for the schools. The ideas highlighted by the group are represented in the scheme below.

III. Main Problems highlighted
· Maintenance of computer equipment
· Electricity - unstable provision, power surges
· High ink replacement costs
· High stationary costs
· Soaring telephone bills
· Failed connection to ISP computer is charged as a phone call each time
· Lack of appreciation by teachers of usefulness of learning ICT skills
· Lack of internet connectivity
· Lack of autonomy for teachers
· Lack of ICT integration in curricula

IV. Possible Strategies for increased IT Sustainability
The discussed strategies were classified into activities or measures that can be implemented with regard to the school, staff, and students (Internal); activities or measures that involve or address actors outside of the school (External), as well as security and other issues.
Not all strategies are feasible or desirable for all schools, and as such do not represent officially advocated strategies. Rather, the list below reflects various possibilities that were relayed by the participants - either as tried and tested approaches or as ideas that appeared interesting for further consideration by the individual schools. It is the responsibility of the participants to further reflect on the feasibility and desirability of the possibilities with key persons in their own institutions.

Internal
· Levy charges for students: Internet browsing, sending email, printing, computer lessons
· Levy charges for staff: Internet browsing, sending email, printing, computer lessons
· Involving Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
· Fundraising with local business/donors/NGOs/embassies
· Levy a Computer Maintenance charge
· % of any general school fundraising to go to computer lab
· Establish a trust for fundraising/marketing/outreach
· Appoint and train students as computer assistants to relieve the IT coordinators of constant questions by students and staff;
· Establish and train a special group of students skilled in computer maintenance and troubleshooting;
· Establish student computer clubs.

External
· Levy charges for outsiders from surrounding community: General use of computer, Internet browsing, sending email, printing
· Provide information services for fee (search for information online in response to queries);
· Provide design and printing services to community actors (could use talented students as designers);
· Provide secretarial services / photocopies;
· Provide training services (Computer awareness, Basic skills, Advanced skills);
· Show videos/DVDs using computers for a fee.

Security/other issues that arose
· Entry of strangers on school grounds;
· Ensure dust free and air-conditioned environment;
· Ensure theft proof environment for computer equipment;
· Ensure up-to-date & licensed anti-virus software;
· User log-on system to monitor and control computer use.