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<font size=4><b><u>SDNP School Program in Bangladesh <br><br>
<br>
</u></font><font face="Times New Roman, Times" size=3>Objective<br><br>
</b></font><font face="MS Sans Serif, Geneva" size=3>To assist the SDNP
(Sustainable Development Networking Programme) School Programme of the
United Nations Development Program (UNDP) for extending computer
education at school level and develop skilled human resources that would
gradually lead to Bangladesh’s competitiveness in the global ICT
sector. <br><br>
</font><font face="Times New Roman, Times" size=3><b>Background<br><br>
</b></font><font face="MS Sans Serif, Geneva" size=3>SDNP has
successfully distributed 120 computers (from the first consignment of 400
computers in 2002), and 28 computers (from the second consignment of 200
computers in 2003) donated by the World Computer Exchange (WCE) in
Bangladeshi schools since 2002. This initiative has provided basic hands
on training on fundamental of computer applications to thousands of
students in rural areas of Bangladesh. The schools were selected as per
the selection criteria given by the WCE. <br><br>
During the first shipment, the partners were <br><br>
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<font face="MS Sans Serif, Geneva" size=3>WCE (World Computers Exchange,
</font><font face="MS Sans Serif, Geneva" color="#0000FF"><u>
http://www.worldcomputerexchange.org</u></font>
<font face="MS Sans Serif, Geneva" size=3>): provided the donated
computers;<br>
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<font face="MS Sans Serif, Geneva" size=3>UNDP (United Nations
Development Programme): provided partial funding and necessary logistic
support to bring the computers in Bangladesh as the Consignee;<br>
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<font face="MS Sans Serif, Geneva" size=3>USAID (United States Agency for
International Development): provided major funding for the programme to
support the administrative costs at WCE;<br>
</font><font face="Symbol" size=3>·<x-tab>
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<font face="MS Sans Serif, Geneva" size=3>FED (Foundation for Education
and Development): provided the role of the lead NGO, handled the currency
transfer, support to other NGO partners of FED;<br>
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<font face="MS Sans Serif, Geneva" size=3>ISOC (Internet Society,
</font><font face="MS Sans Serif, Geneva" color="#0000FF"><u>
http://www.isocbd.org</u></font><font face="MS Sans Serif, Geneva" size=3>
) Bangladesh Chapter: provided support in selecting a few local
schools; <br>
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<font face="MS Sans Serif, Geneva" size=3>ICMS (Institute of Computer
Management and Science,
</font><font face="MS Sans Serif, Geneva" color="#0000FF"><u>
http://www.icmsbd.org</u></font><font face="MS Sans Serif, Geneva" size=3>
): provided free training to the teachers of the selected school;
and<br>
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<font face="MS Sans Serif, Geneva" size=3>SDNP (Sustainable Development
Networking Programme of Bangladesh,
</font><font face="MS Sans Serif, Geneva" color="#0000FF"><u>
http://www.sdnbd.org</u></font><font face="MS Sans Serif, Geneva" size=3>
) selected the schools as per the selection criteria, provided technical
assistance, and distributed the donated computers to the selected
schools.<br><br>
In the first consignment, among the 400 PCs, 200 were given to SDNP and
from that 120 were distributed to 68 schools. In the second consignment
200 computers were brought under the direct guidance of FED with funding
support from USAID. From the second consignment, about 28 computers were
received by SDNP. <br><br>
In the first consignment, SDNP selected schools paid a lump sum of
BDT3000.00 (Taka three thousand) only to cover local expenses, and all
the amount were directly submitted to FED, who handled the financial
transactions. Similarly, an amount of BDT 4700.00 (Taka four thousand and
five hundred) only were being paid by the schools to FED for each
computer in the second consignment.<br><br>
For the third consignment, with total financial support from USAID, an
amount of BDT1500.00 (Taka one thousand and five hundred) only for each
computer is being requested and collected through SDNP to cover local
logistic supports. UNDP Bangladesh being the consignee provided all
necessary logistic supports in bringing the computers in Bangladesh.
Among other partners, ICMS is providing free training to the teachers.
The training of teachers has been launched in phases from August 20, 2005
and till date about 30 schools has obtained computers from the third
consignment.<br><br>
<b>Role of each partners<br><br>
</b>The World Computer Exchange, Inc. (WCE) of USA, which works for
bridging the digital divide for youth, collects donated computer in the
USA and distributes them to the third world countries. <br><br>
</font>USAID Bangladesh has active interest in promoting the Information
Communication Technology (ICT) sector in the country. Several studies
(e.g. Information Technology Enabled Services Sector study sponsored by
USAID Bangladesh) clearly identified the lack of skilled human resources
is a critical factor for the growth of ICT sector. This type of
initiative is the right kind of step that will widen computer education
at rural level. <br><br>
UNDP Bangladesh as the Consignee eased up the processes of bringing in
used and donated computers in Bangladesh, and SDNP as a UNDP funded
project has find it as extremely valuable to carry out its mandate for
sustainable development in the country.<br><br>
At the same time, being a project under the SEMP (Sustainable Environment
Management Programme), this programme obtained necessary administrative
assistance from the government authority.<br><br>
ICMS is providing necessary training to the teachers at free of costs
throughout the whole programme. <br><br>
SDNP is selecting the schools as per the selection criteria of WCE,
distributing the computers as per the implementation plan, providing
necessary technical assistance to each school including the lead schools,
that have been established to support the local schools.<br><br>
<b>Partnership approach<br><br>
</b>SDNP has signed a separate MoU with Schools Online programme of
Relief International
(<a href="http://www.connect-bangladesh.org/" eudora="autourl">
<font color="#0000FF"><u>http://www.connect-bangladesh.org</a></u></font>
<font size=3>) for running partnership programmes of similar interests,
and under this MoU one of the South-West lead school in Jessore has been
upgraded to Internet Learning Center. <br><br>
<b>Future perspectives<br><br>
</b>SDNP is looking forward to establish Internet connectivity to each
available school under this programme, so that they can avail the content
service from SDNP's different servers located throughout the country
(Dhaka, Mymensingh, Cox's Bazar, Satkhira, and Dinajpur), including the
multipurpose village information centres's support run by SDNP.
Utilization of the available information backbone for telemedicine,
environmental protection, disaster management, and e-learning at school
level would be the future focus of this programme.<br><br>
Hakikur Rahman<br>
Project Coordinator<br>
SDNP Bangladesh.<br><br>
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