Ministry of Education, Youth & Sports (MoEYS) SWAN The Schools-Computers Wide Area Network Project ”BUILDING THE BELIZEAN KNOWLEDGE SOCIETY… Using Information Technology (IT) for Sustainable Development” MoEYS Presenter: K. Mustafa Toure’, Coordinator (GOB/MoEYS Schools- Computers Wide Area Network Task Force)

Ministry of Education, Youth & Sports (MoEYS) “The world is on the threshold of a new industrial revolution. A revolution which promises to be at least as significant as that which has brought most of the growth of the world’s economy in the past two centuries, a revolution with global reach. At the epicenter are Information Technology and Telecommunications” International Telecommunications Union 1999 Publication MoEYS

Ministry of Education, Youth & Sports (MoEYS) Epicenter of the new Industrial Revolution is Telecommunications and Information Technology! Ability to use IT effectively will be among the determining factors in separating leaders from laggards in the world economy! MoEYS

Ministry of Education, Youth & Sports (MoEYS) Instrument to make existing Productive Sectors more Efficient Area of Economic Activity in its own right Tool of Training and Education MoEYS

Ministry of Education, Youth & Sports (MoEYS) “Virtually all developing countries are undertaking structural reforms of some kind to enhance economic efficiency as a prerequisite toward increasing national welfare. The range and impact of telecommunications reform and the introduction of a sound IT sector are intrinsically linked to this broader reform agenda.” World Bank Report on Telecommunications Reform. MoEYS

Ministry of Education, Youth & Sports (MoEYS) –WHAT?: To provide computers and unlimited internet access for all primary, secondary, and tertiary level schools, all libraries and other educational institutions in Belize. –HOW?: To establish a wireless & fiber-optics based Wide Area Network (WAN) linking all government offices and other governmental institutions, e.g. schools, libraries, hospitals, police stations, etc. –HOW MUCH?: By using the wide area network to provide Government with all the telecommunications services it presently obtains, substantial savings can be achieved. MoEYS

Ministry of Education, Youth & Sports (MoEYS) Data Communication Backbone for Government owned Virtual Private Network (VPN) Internet Diffusion for Social Sector Reforms (Education, Health) Supporting National Poverty Elimination Strategy to Provide IT Access for Poor & Rural communities Strengthening of Tourism & Financial sectors Development of IT and Services Sector MoEYS

Ministry of Education, Youth & Sports (MoEYS) Established links to all major population areas nationally Established country-wide Computer networking framework for government High-speed internet access supported country-wide for schools and other distance learning programs Any locale allowed to be used for IT services, development and products MoEYS

Ministry of Education, Youth & Sports (MoEYS) Compliments existing IT initiatives in the Education sector Schools will get hardware & unlimited internet access at no cost NGO’s and Civil Society receive hardware plus unlimited Internet access at low monthly per unit user fees. MoEYS

Ministry of Education, Youth & Sports (MoEYS) Embracing IT – Using IT for sustainable development in Belize Making IT Happen - Putting the necessary infra- structure in place Teaching IT - Updating the educational curriculum, teacher training and student access Marketing IT – To local entrepreneurs, investors, students, and professionals. LET’S Get With IT!……. MoEYS

Ministry of Education, Youth & Sports (MoEYS) Thank you for your Attention Questions? MoEYS