Information Technologies and Education for the Poor in Africa

This 80-page report focuses on what is being and has been attempted in information technologies and education in some of the poorest communities in Africa, with a special emphasis on South Africa and Ghana.

This report provides broad conclusions with a set of recommendations with how to deal with the following issues: moving towards pro-poor Information Communication Technology - based sustainable development models; why local content is central to African ICT4D (information and communication technology for development); how informational needs are critical both for individual development (broader literacy) and for project success; the growing role of capacity building in Africa; the need for credible action research; and the increasing need for multi-level coordination.

"As part of the ITEPA [information technologies and education for the poor in africa] methodology, information was gathered on previous, on-going and planned projects in the Africa region (and in South Africa and Ghana in particular) through a case study approach. Data and information were gathered through field visits and surveys, to investigate and evaluate how such projects are 'put together' and what hurdles must be overcome. ITEPA focused on collecting quantitative and qualitative data on various types of ICT-based education initiatives for out-of-school youth and adults, with the support of DFID/Imfundo."

List of Annexes:

• Literacy, ICT and the poor in Africa: A synthesis;
• Policy perspectives and Information Technologies and Education for the Poor Africa field-based findings: South Africa and Ghana;
• Thematic findings on motivation, inequities, and pro-poor policy; and
• Looking back, looking ahead: Conclusions and recommendations.