1. SchoolNet Uganda www.schoolnet.sc.ug By Charles Musisi & Baker Ntambi
AfNOG2001 – 12th May 2001 Accra, Ghana
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2. History Started in 1996 as School-to School Initiative
1997 re named -- World Links for Development – WorLD, and now:
SchoolNet - Uganda
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3. 3 Themes Computer Labs & Connectivity Training & Ongoing Support
Pedagogical Issues & Telecollaboration
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4. Computer labs Typically: 10 PCs Networked – CAT5 & Hub Stable power
Productivity software
Internet Access
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5. Connectivity: HF Radio
HF Radio – 2400 baud
- only
- choice of last resort
- initial capital investment very high
- has no recurrent costs
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6. Connectivity: GSM Dial-up
GSM – 9600 baud
- & limited surfing
- Stable, though expensive
- Only possible where GSM Network exists
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7. Connectivity: Dial-up Land lines
Dial-up over Land lines
- & Internet access
- Not cost effective as number grows
- Service congested and at times poor
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8. Connectivity: ISM 2.4 Ghz - Offers unmetered access
- serves large community fairly well
- band getting congested
- for full benefits, requires some skills to properly configure servers, system admin tasks etc..
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9. Connectivity: VSat - Covers a large foot print
- Together with ISM 2.4Ghz provides access to a large community of schools
- High capital costs
- High recurrent costs
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10. Training & Ongoing Support
Workshops
Site visits
Mailing lists
Internet chat
Peer support by students
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11. Training System Admin tasks - Linux/FreeBSD(?) installation
- System maintenance – fsck
- Simple database systems with MySQL
- Managing the Apache Webserver
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12. Training: Web design Introduction to HTML Managing own web site
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13. Training: Professional development
- Introduction to Internet and Teacher learning
- Introduction to Telecollaboration learning and projects
- Curriculum and technology Integration
- Diffusion of ICT Innovations
- Planning for School based Telecentres
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14. Pedagogical Issues
New School Computer Curriculum
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15. Number of Schools Started with 3 Schools in 1996
Expanded to 10 in 1997
Present: 50 Schools connected to the Internet, student & staff use
Most Schools have own school domain, server communities of upto 1000 at most sites
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16. Expansion to 100 sites - 70 sites, 11 Vsat sites
- Equipped with 10 PCs
LAN
Each Vsat School is expected to serve 10 others
- New and old sites to become Community Telecentres
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17. Expectations 50000 Student & Staff by first quarter of 2002
Will connecting to Upcoming IxP
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18. Other relevant Issues
Main University now has a wireless backbone, soon will have a fibre ring
Uganda has ~ 10 ISPs each with own Internet Gateway
Total bandwidth ~ 6MB
Internet Exchange will soon be setup
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19. Others Issues Estimated user base ~ 40,000 ~ 7000 dial-up
~ 20,0000 – Internet Cafes, Secondary & Primary Schools and growing
~ 10,000 University users. Will soon be over 25,000
~ other access
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20. Acknowledgements Several Private sector players:
- CelTel Cellular, Uganda OnLine, Starcom, PanWorld Inssurance
Donors: The WoLD Bank, IDRC, British Council, Government of Uganda,
NSRC – Steve & Randy
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21. That’s It!
Any Questions?
Thank you
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