Bolivian School Computer Labs Advance Towards Economic Sustainability
Mar 29 2011, Bolivia [BO], Education
- Source:
- Lesley White [lwhite(at)iicd.org]
- Country:
- Bolivia [BO]
- Sector:
- Education
The dilemma: the school has a computer lab but can’t pay for a computer teacher. Five primary schools in Bolivia’s Santa Cruz region have found a sustainable way. They turn their computer labs into internet cafés at night. The local community can use the computers for a fee. This way, the schools can afford to hire teachers to teach computer basics to their students, maintain the hardware and help with trouble shooting.
Profit goes to teacher
Opening up the school lab in the evening does mean that the computer teacher has long working days. However, it offers a crucial financial addition to the meager salary teachers receive. The teacher keeps all profits made from the evening sessions. To make sure the internet cafés are well visited, some teachers have invested in flyers and brochures for distribution to potential clients.
Because the computers are used by paying customers at night, the teacher always makes sure that the computers are in a good condition. A broken computer means one less paying customer. The school children also benefit from this, because this means that computers are almost never broken for their classes.
IICD and education
IICD supports the education system in Bolivia to improve the quality of education and increase employment opportunities with acquired ICT skills. It works with primary and secondary schools, teacher training colleges, the Ministry of Education and training partners in education. IICD provides means to increase teachers’ competences, upgrade school materials, improve school management and integrate ICT into governmental policies.