iSchool

• Phase 1 of the iSchool project which ran from 2007 until now, provided internet connectivity to some 20 schools of varied type including urban, peri-urban, and rural ones, in order to ensure that no unbeatable objects to e-learning would emerge within the Zambian environment. 

• Most Phase 1 schools were provided with broadband WiMAX connections, as the most suitable prevailing technology. One rural school relies on a VSAT direct satellite link to access the internet. Schools were also provided with IT support, basic teacher training, and a content-rich website of resources based on the Zambian curriculum.

• Each school has been encouraged / assisted to open as an Internet café outside school hours. Assessment has been made of the income generated and how this can match the recurrent, and possibly capital, costs. 

• Initial results are positive… they have shown that there are no obstacles that should stop the project being successful.

Some of the schools involved so far include:

• Chimwemwe School, Kabanana, Lusaka
• Aisha school, N'gombe, Lusaka
• SOS Children's Village Basic School, Lusaka
• SOS Children's Village Secondary School, Lusaka
• Munali Boys' School, Lusaka
• Munali Girls' School, Lusaka
• Chelstone School, Lusaka
• Kabulonga Girls' School, Lusaka
• Mpelembe Secondary School, Kitwe
• Chimpembi Girls' School, Chisamba
• Tujatane Trust School, Livingstone
• Zambezi Basic School, Livingstone
• Namwala Secondary School, Namwala