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.

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