ICT OLPF Strategy Benefits to Education & Agriculture

Contents

•ICT Strategy ICT – Infrastructure, Connectivity and Access

•OLPF Strategy Realization of ICT for Development

•ICT OLPF Education Initiative Benefits to Education

•ICT OLPF Strategy Relevance to Agriculture

ICT Strategy Information, Communication, Technology

ICT – Infrastructure, Connectivity and Access

ICT is about identifying the opportunities that technology through global connectivity and infrastructure can offer in facilitating equal access.

ICT is about the people, our children, education and skills development – bridging the digital divide.

The Government recognizes the importance of this and is moving to ensure that we build human capacity that can take advantage of ICT.

ICT – Infrastructure, Connectivity and Access

Guyana’s Information Communication Telecommunication for Development (ICT4D) Strategy of April 2006,outlined a plan to ensure a dramatic increase in the use of ICT to support social and economic development:

Develop human capacity: Through the OLPF project

Improve Infrastructure: Through Brazil-GT Fiber and WiMax/Fiber coastal project

Amendment of the laws to allow for Data Protection, E-Commerce, and competitiveness in the telecommunication sector

OLPF Strategy One Laptop Per Family

OLPF a realization of ICT

The One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) project is one of the tools being employed to build capacity.

The OLPF project aims to create a level playing field as indicated in the Millennium Development Goals.

The OLPF project is not only about the distribution of a tool but also has a well defined program in teaching the beneficiaries how to best use the tool.

OLPF a realization of ICT

OLPF includes: The building of over 200 learning centers

The building of stronger community spirit

The transfer of technology

Expansion of employment

Persons will contribute to community initiatives. Initiatives which will expand knowledge, improve community spirit and make the environment secure and safe.

 

ICT-OLPF Strategy Benefits to Education

ICT OLPF Strategy - Benefits to Education ICT creates opportunities for employment and

industry development, resulting in the creation of knowledge-based workers.

The laptop is mobile and can be accessed by a wide audience thus supporting knowledge sharing within the family and community.

The distribution of laptops complements the approach to information technology in education.

The MoE is aiming to create computer labs in public secondary schools by the end of the year and subsequently primary schools.

The Ministry is also currently undertaking a training program for teachers who will be responsible for bringing ICT into the classroom.

ICT OLPF Strategy - Benefits to Education

ICT-OLPF Strategy As a tool of progress in Agriculture

ICT OLPF Strategy - Agriculture

Enhancing Agricultural Production

Farmers (especially small ones) often face threats like

poor soils, drought, erosion and pests.

ICT can help by providing up-to-date information about pest and disease control, early warning systems, new ways to optimise production and regulations for quality control.

ICT OLPF Strategy - Agriculture

Improving Market Access

Providing up-to-date information on the market prices of commodities, inputs and consumer trends.

This improves a farmer's negotiating position and livelihood, while enabling farmers to make better decisions about future crops and commodities and the best time and place to sell/buy goods.

ICT OLPF Strategy - Agriculture

Capacity-building and empowerment

ICT technologies strengthen farmer capacities and allow them to better represent their constituencies when negotiating input and output prices, land claims, resource rights and infrastructure projects.

Rural communities are able to interact with others via the use of ICT which reduces social isolation.

Thank you