03/11/2004, SchoolNet Africa:
Research on refurbished PCs for African schools calls for an
integrated strategy and effective management system in Africa
Johannesburg, 8 March 2004
To use or not to use second hand and refurbished computers as part of
educational technology solutions in African schools, has been a
contentious debate among `schoolnet' practitioners and policymakers
from all over Africa. SchoolNet Africa (www.schoolnetafrica.net), an
African-led NGO which promotes learning and teaching through the use
of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in African
schools, has just released a research report entitled: Treat Refurbs
and Africa with Respect. Towards a Framework on Refurbished Computers
for African Schools that investigates the African schooling
experience in the use of dumped, second-hand, and refurbished
computers. The English version of the executive summary of this
report is available at
www.schoolnetafrica.net/fileadmin/resources/Refurbished_computers_Exec
Sum.pdf
The study marks the first examination of experiences with second-hand
and refurbished computers among schoolnet organizations in Africa. In
many countries in Africa, schoolnets are nationally-based
organizations promoting education in schools through ICTs usually in
partnership with national governments. Through documentary review,
interviews and focus groups discussions with both African schoolnet
practioners and others involved in the refurbished computer market,
the pipeline of activities in sourcing and distributing the second-
hand and refurbished PCs to African schools has been charted.
The rationale for the study is for SchoolNet Africa and its network
of schoolnet practitioners to consider the experiences and lessons
learned at local level as a contribution to the debate on whether or
not, and how, to consider second-hand or refurbished computers in
technology solution models for African schools.
The study notes that some practitioners have argued that the total
cost of ownership of a refurbished PC could be higher than that of a
new PC owing to its additional maintenance costs and shorter
lifespan. It also indicates however that nobody in Africa has yet
imported or used refurbished PCs at a scale large enough to bridge
the gap in terms of numbers of PCs required.
The study also attempts a comparative total cost of ownership model
for new vs refurbished PCs, and notes that, until it can be proven
beyond doubt that the total cost of ownership of a new PC is less
than that of a refurbished PC, most schoolnets will remain committed
to using second-hand and refurbished PCs in schools, while continuing
to work out how to make them more effective.
It concludes that an integrated strategy and effective management
systems are required to ensure that future projects to source and use
second-hand and refurbished PCs for education purposes in African
schools are more consistent, scaleable, and effective, and notes that
agencies like SchoolNet Africa needs to play a leading role in this
regard.
SchoolNet Africa will use the research findings to kickstart its
Campaign for 1 Million PCs for African Schools which includes an
intensive capacity building programme involving technical co-
ordinators and prospective PC refurbishment centre managers from 20
African countries commencing 3 May 2004 and supporting the
establishment of
PC refurbishment centres in a number of African countries such as
Mozambique, Zambia, Malawi, Kenya, Senegal and Nigeria.
For more information contact Shafika Isaacs at
[EMAIL PROTECTED] or Cassie Janisch at
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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