GATE Presentation

Global Alliance for Technology and Education (GATE)

A HAPPY HOUR & DISCUSSION SESSION

LITERACY, TECHNOLOGY : FACTS & RESOLUTIONTaa WongbeGlobal Alliance for Technology and Education in Africawww.gatetoafrica.org [email protected]

2 Global Alliance for Technology and Education (GATE)

Introduction: What is the GATE?Introduction: What is the GATE?

• The Global Alliance for Technology and Education (GATE) in Africa is a US based non-profit organization committed to creating partnerships with individuals, social groups, and companies to encourage the investment of educational and technological resources in African schools.


Core ObjectivesCore Objectives

• Advance Technology and Improve Education in Africa

• Create and preserve partnerships with individuals, social groups and companies to foster the growth of technology and education in schools in Africa.

• Build a sustainable community by empowering entrepreneurs with knowledge, capital, and resources needed to succeed.


GATE ModelGATE Model

• Educate

– GATE provides scholarships to students to gain education at all grade levels.

– After high school, GATE works with other organizations or partners to provide college education for selected students.

• Empower

– GATE empowers students by providing life-long skills in the form of technology training to students at all grade levels

– Students gain knowledgeable and handy skills to become functional in the global economy

• Sustain

– GATE works with local governments, companies, and organizations to create sustainability by building low cost, small/medium size businesses that selected students in grade levels 10 and above can work at after school or during the time off from school. Students will gain hands-on entrepreneur skills and training to become successful.


Why is the GATE needed: The Facts & StatsWhy is the GATE needed: The Facts & Stats

• Africa, the second largest continent on the earth, covering about 23% of the world’s total land mass, and containing 13% of the world’s population, is torn by the level of education; primarily it’s literacy rate.

• According to UNESCO (2004): The percentage of people, ages 15-24, who could both read and write, with understanding, short, simple statements relating to their everyday life, was approximately 60%.

• According to the ITU World Telecommunication Indicators Database, there are more than 8 times as many Internet users in the US, three times as many Internet users in Japan, and more than twice as many Internet users in Germany than on the entire African continent.


Why is the GATE needed: Discourse Vs. PracticeWhy is the GATE needed: Discourse Vs. Practice

• Problem: Decades of declarations and recurrent discourse with little effective implementation

• Recommendation: more focus and support on implementation. After all, action speaks louder than words.


Why is the GATE needed: Educational ChallengesWhy is the GATE needed: Educational Challenges

• There are a multitude of “minor” challenges, with regards to education that, when faced, cause major disruption to the educational environment and growth; these include the basic:

– Availability of trained teachers

– Lack of equipment

– Lack of space

– Lack of supplies


Why is the GATE needed: Technological ChallengesWhy is the GATE needed: Technological Challenges

• Insufficient funding to acquire technological skills.

• Disparity in the technological curriculum (e.g. Computer Science, Engineering) when compared to other countries.

• Few computer training centers with exorbitant fees and limited number of computers and resources.


The GATE Technology InitiativesThe GATE Technology Initiatives

The GATE Technology Initiatives

The GATE Computer DriveTelecommunications

Infrastructure BuildingFREE Internet for All Program

Technology Awareness in Africa

Launch a Computer Drive Campaign Select schools to donate computers and generators to

Help build and improve the infrastructure in Africa

Establish a FREE Internet for all program

Help develop policies and strategies for creating awareness of technology in Africa

These activities, coupled with others will become an initial step to improving the technology challenges facing many African schools today. The measure for success will be an increase in technology awareness and an increase in the use of technology in Africa


The GATE Education InitiativesThe GATE Education Initiatives

The GATE Education Initiatives

Book DrivesTechnology And Education

ForumThe GATE Scholarship

ProgramBuilding Africa’s Digital Library

Launch a Book Drive Campaign Select schools to donate books to

Create a community of interest that will discuss the future of Education and Technology in Africa

Establish the GATE Scholarship Program to assist students in Africa

Help create an Online library for students

These activities, coupled with others will become an initial step to improving the education difficulties facing many African schools today. The measure for success will be an increase in the number of students graduating from school, more students becoming aware of the use of technology and an increase in the college attendance and or enrollment


Strategy for sustainabilityStrategy for sustainability

• In 2003 the Director-General for the International Labor Office, Juan Somavi, said the following: "the present model of globalization is not delivering for Africa“. He then called for changes in international policies that place jobs at the center of the development debate.

– The GATE will work with the international community to create sustainable jobs for post graduate students

– The GATE will create entrepreneurial programs to fund small businesses for job creation


The Learning TransitionThe Learning Transition

• Literary GATE will provide a step towards the information GATE

• This GATE is essential to increasing the literacy rate in Africa

• The Information GATE will become a transition point from the literary GATE.

• This GATE will use information to gain knowledge and transition to the knowledge GATE

• With knowledge comes power; the Knowledge GATE will provide insight for sustainability

• Within the Knowledge GATE, resources will be used to create jobs and implement strategies that will foster growth

Literary GATE Information GATE Knowledge GATE

From literacy to the knowledge GATELiteracy is a prerequisite for entering into the information society and for the future of a knowledgeable society.


The GATE ApproachThe GATE Approach

• GATE works by creating “Regional Networks” in various African countries

• These Regional Networks work directly with the schools to develop educational and technological programs that foster education

• The Regional Networks also provide scholarships, technology training and leadership awareness

• GATE is currently working in Liberia, but is planning on expanding into other countries


ConclusionConclusion

• Rudimentary resources including textbooks, supplementary reading materials, trained teachers, teacher guides, classroom equipment, furniture, a secure and comfortable school and classroom, are all part of the recipe for a substantial and conducive learning environment; many African schools lack these necessities.

• There is a profound need for a community of interest (central and local government, civic organization e.g. faith based and community based associations, NGOs, private sector, grassroots organizations) to partner and work towards resolving these critical challenges facing our community

• There is a viable need for programs and initiatives of the GATE that will create jobs and foster the growth of sustainability and self-reliance. Let us partner and serve to fill that need.


Thank You

Economy & Finance

GATE Presentation