2007年-世界发展银行全球_Survey_of_ICT_and_Education_in_Africa___Liberia_Country_Report_7页_277kb

ICT in Education in Liberia Summary

Core Content

This document provides an overview of the state of ICT in education in Liberia as of May 2007, based on a survey conducted by infoDev. It highlights the current initiatives, challenges, and the broader context of the country's development in the ICT and education sectors.

Main Points

1. ICT Policy Context

• Liberia is in the process of developing a national ICT policy called E-Liberia: Vision 2010.
• A finalized Telecommunications Act 2006 offers insights into the country's ICT vision, aiming to build a telecommunications infrastructure and support an information-based economy and society.
• The policy emphasizes universal access to telecommunications services and promotes education, economic, and social development through ICT.

2. Education System Overview

• The education system in Liberia includes elementary (6 years), secondary (3 years junior and 3 years senior), and tertiary levels.
• At the tertiary level, institutions such as the University of Liberia and Cuttington University College provide higher education, though the latter has recently reopened after damage from the civil war.
• The University of Liberia was heavily damaged during the civil war, with over 90% of its facilities destroyed or looted, leading to a decline in student enrollment and faculty.

3. ICT in Education

• Liberia lacks a comprehensive ICT strategy for the education sector, but the proposed Telecommunications Act includes provisions for ICT integration into the curriculum.
• The goal is to incorporate ICT awareness and applications into the educational system to prepare students for the information age.
• There is a need for improved ICT infrastructure and resources at the tertiary level, including Internet access, CD-ROMs, and Web-ready computers.

4. ICT Infrastructure

• The telecommunications sector has been severely affected by the civil war, with limited services outside the capital, Monrovia.
• There is one fixed-line operator and four cellular mobile operators, with around 200,000 mobile subscribers.
• Internet access remains low, with only 1 internet user per 1,000 inhabitants as of 2004.

5. Current ICT Initiatives and Projects

• Several projects are underway to improve ICT access and education in Liberia:
  • From Guns to Computers: A multimedia and skill training center for child ex-combatants, supported by Education for Peace in Africa and SchoolNet Africa.
  • ICT Training for Young Refugees: Aims to develop sustainable ICT education, funded by UNHCR and the International Telecommunication Union.
  • GATech Project: Improves ICT training and infrastructure at the University of Liberia, funded by Georgia Tech.
  • Hoffman Technology Centers: Provides 14 public access computers for free at the Monrovia Public Library.
  • Digital Bridge Project: A multimedia lab at the University of Liberia with 200 computers connected to an intranet, research databases, and a VSAT internet connection.

6. Factors Influencing ICT Adoption in Education

• Enabling Features:
  • Commitment to policy development.
  • Strong leadership from the Minister for Vocational Education.
  • Presidential support for girls' education.
  • Government, donor, and private sector commitment to infrastructure development.
  • Belief in the education sector as a key to national reconstruction.
• Constraints:
  • Lack of a clear ICT strategy for education.
  • Unreliable electricity.
  • Skills gap in the education sector.
  • No existing learning content on ICTs in schools.
  • High reliance on donor and philanthropic funding.

Key Information

• Population: 3.3 million.
• Languages: English.
• Economic activity (2005): Agriculture (63.6%), Industry (15.2%), Services (21.1%).
• Per capita income (2005): $1,300.
• ICT Infrastructure:
  • 1 fixed-line operator.
  • 4 cellular mobile operators.
  • 200,000 mobile subscribers.
  • 1 internet user per 1,000 inhabitants (2004).
• Education Indicators (2000):
  • Primary enrollment: 99.2%.
  • Secondary enrollment: 33.2%.
  • Tertiary enrollment: 15.5%.
  • Ratio of girls to boys in primary and secondary education: 72.7%.

Conclusion

Liberia is at an early stage in integrating ICT into its education system, with a focus on improving access and training. While there is growing recognition of the importance of ICT in education, the country still faces significant challenges, including infrastructure limitations, a lack of clear policy, and a skills gap. The ongoing efforts and projects, supported by both local and international actors, indicate a positive direction, but long-term sustainability remains a concern.