The Case of SchoolNet Namibia/Operations/Activities/Engaging Schools

Engaging Schools

Best ICT4D practice suggests that schools should apply to SchoolNet Namibia rather than the other way round. In practice it was a two-way process as SchoolNet needed to raise awareness of the opportunities and their funded projects often came with targets for the number of schools to be serviced.

Written applications could be submitted via the web and/or by sending a completed application form. Alternatively, candidates could contact SchoolNet via a toll free help line. The application required a letter of motivation which addressed at least some of the following according to the Educational Institutions Application Guidelines:

Please be advised that all applications will be evaluated on the merit of the applicant's commitment to education, in the widest sense. On SchoolNet's acceptance of the application, gratis dial-up internet services will be made available, if such applicants already have technology to accommodate dial-up internet access. We should be promoting internet access to all possible civil society clients. What is your organisation's mission? What community and/or client-base does your organisation serve? Why does your organization need computers? What items or services are you asking for? How many? What are your computer needs? How do you know what your needs are? Explain how computers will make your office more efficient, your programs more effective, or your organization more productive. Who will use the computers? Who will be responsible for the computers? What's the organization's average level of computer literacy? Which applications will you use the most? Do you have special needs (Database software? Graphics applications? Multimedia?) What are the information needs of your users/colleagues? How will the internet be used? If it's going to be used as a part of a drop-in or resource center, explain what makes your resource centre unique? Give a list of ten sites which will be most useful for users on your network. To what extent do you expect your community an/or client-base to benefit from these computer(s) and/or internet services?

See Appendix 1: Sample of SchoolNet's Agreement Form which would have to be signed before any SchoolNet services would begin. The form outlines roles and responsibilities and commitments of both the school and SchoolNet. Once read and understood, the school could submit an application form which required the school's name, contact details, the number of learners at the school, a statement of intent (the school's plan to maximize the benefits) and the names of the Principal, the teacher who will be responsible for the lab. and the respondent.

When both parties had signed all the relevant documents, they were good to go. We now turn to Procurement – where do the computers come from?

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