SchoolNet Namibia and Sida renew Cooperation Agreement

Monday 29 August 2005, Windhoek. SchoolNet Namibia and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) have signed a new cooperation agreement which will allow SchoolNet Namibia to extend internet access and decentralise technical support services to underserved schools throughout Namibia, in line with the new national ICT Policy for Education, and Namibia’s Vision 2030 Policy Framework for Long-term National Development to transform Namibia into a knowledge-based economy, where ICT plays a vital role.

The cooperation Agreement will provide financial assistance to SchoolNet, from 2005 through 2007, to upgrade technology service, maintenance and support at internet-connected schools served by SchoolNet, extend wireless internet services to existing off-grid solar powered schools, and build decentralised local human resource capacity to meet the continuing technical maintenance, training and support requirements of SchoolNet´s increasing and dependent education sector client base. The Agreement will further assist SchoolNet to develop non-formal educational content, applications and internet solutions which can improve the preconditions for education and for the gathering of knowledge of, and participation in, Namibia´s democracy.

Sweden shall support the implementation and monitoring of this cooperation Agreement with an amount of nine million Swedish kronor (N$ 8 million), under existing Agreements on Development Cooperation between the governments of Sweden and Namibia. This brings the Swedish contribution to ICT development in Education, through SchoolNet Namibia, to close on N$ 23 million since mid-2001.

"This renewed Cooperation Agreement with Sida indisputably reflects the trust of our international development partners, and the government of Namibia, in the vision and energy of a civil society organisation such as SchoolNet, which, working as it is does with other committed stakeholders, is clearly meeting the long-term challenges of ICT development in Namibia,." said Len le Roux, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of SchoolNet Namibia, at the signing ceremony this week. "We expect that other international development agencies and industry stakeholders will recognise the importance of Sida's commitment to the 'total cost of ownership' model promoted by SchoolNet which ensures long-term internet access, technical maintenance, repair, training and support services to schools provided with ICT equipment," he added.

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FLRT, Len le Roux, Ylva Lindström, Dag Sundelin and Joris Komen at the Embassy of Sweden signing ceremony in Windhoek.