- Title: MALI: School in rural area receives free laptops to boost computer literacy
- Date: 25th December 2008
- Summary: WIDE OF CHILDREN USING LAPTOPS (SOUNDBITE) (Bambara) IBRAHIM COULIBALY, PUPIL, SAYING: "Computers are very important nowadays. I want to know how to operate a computer and later on to have a diploma and be able to repair computers myself." VARIOUS OF PUPILS WORKING TOGETHER ON LAPTOPS (SOUNDBITE) (Bambara) KOROTOUMA DOUMBIA, PUPIL, SAYING "I like chatting on a computer,
- Embargoed: 9th January 2009 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Mali
- Country: Mali
- Topics: Science / Technology,Education
- Reuters ID: LVA7OPST5HU98KICKJIWU9MDYTC9
- Story Text: N'Tentoubougou school is located in the village of Ouelessebougou, 80 kilometres from Mali's capital Bamako. It recently received a donation of 30 laptops to introduce the local children to computer technology.
The pilot project was launched this November by the non-profit organisation One Laptop Per Child (OLPC), which is dedicated to creating education opportunities for children in developing countries by providing low-cost, low-power, rugged computers.
The project at N'Tentoubougou school began with a training session for teachers on how to use the computers, as most of the teachers and volunteers involved have never used a computer before.
Phili Samaké, a teacher, said the next phase is to introduce the pupils to computers.
"At the moment we have 30 laptops. The first phase is that of orientation. We are first introducing the children to the basics of operating computers," said Samaké.
Although, the programme is still in its trial phase, the pupils are already starting to think about their future careers and some say they would like to work in the IT industry.
"Computers are very important nowadays. I want to know how to operate a computer and later on to have a diploma and be able to repair computers myself," said Ibrahim Coulibaly, a pupil at the school.
Working with laptops has also helped the pupils learn how to work together and conduct research.
"I like chatting on a computer, but also playing the games, looking at pictures and I like to look up information on birds and cars,"
said Korotouma Doumbia, another pupil.
Despite the initial success, the laptop programme faces several challenges, such as fluctuations in electricity supply which often cause the laptops to crash. The lack of trained teachers in computer technology also hampers the learning process. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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