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Certificate course for policy implementers


Six organizations have partnered to strengthen government capacity in the integration of ICT in schools around Africa by introducing a course for policy implementers.
Cisco, Education Impact, Microsoft, Intel, University of Witwatersand (Wits- South Africa) and the World Bank Institute have designed a blended learning programme called the “Certificate in ICT in Education for policy Implementers” for officials and professionals involved in the roll out of ICT in schools and colleges across the African continent.
The programme is aimed at strengthening the knowledge of the middle and senior management government officials whose role is in curriculum leadership, management and policy or planning related to ICT.
“Simply dropping off a computer in a classroom is not a solution to the challenges facing Africa educators, “ says Ntutule Tshenge, Citizenship lead at Microsoft East, West, Central Africa and Indian Ocean Island, adding that “It takes support from government to make ICT implementations sustainable and relevant to local schools.”
A pilot workshop during course development was conducted in August last year and 25 students from Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Ghana, Mauritius, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa and Tanzania were selected to undertake the first course.
Currently, there are eight students from Nigeria and Tanzania taking the course at the University of Witwatersand in South Africa.
Tshenye says the students’ fee going for about 3,800 dollars is paid by the respective governments or institutions sending them.
Only students with undergraduate degree, two years experience in curriculum ICT, education or policy and knowledge of ICTs are selected to undertake the three month course . Another intake is planned later this year.
Tshene adds that despite efforts by governments to invest in ICTs, there is still a significant lack of guidance, professional development, opportunities and best practices sharing available to implementers and administrators.
Meanwhile, Ms. Shelly Esque, Vice President, Legal and Corporate Affairs, Intel Corporation says, to be competitive in the global economy, nations must prepare today’s students to thrive in tomorrow’s workforce.
The certificate course consists of 3 modules: Computers in Schools for the first three weeks on online introductory, followed by a weeklong workshop at the Wits campus and is completed by a further two months of online course work. Graduates receive Certificate in ICT in Education”, accredited by Wits as a post graduate certificate of competence.
“We design the course specifically to equip policy implementers in Africa with skills they need to bring modern technologies into classroom,” says Ian Moll, Associate Professor, Wits School of Education.
The consortium hopes to attract more students from ministries of education, Universiities and colleges across the continent.

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