ICT Computer Lab for JHS

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Latest revision as of 17:29, 25 April 2011

Template:Project HELP ICT Computer Lab for JHS Project Type(s):
Region:	Ashanti and Northern
Country:	Ghana
Volunteer(s) Name:	PCV Fowler and Guillermo
Volunteer(s) Homestate:	Texas
Funds community contributed:	0
Funds needed were:	0
Funds requested were:	0
Year of project approval:	2010
Projects started in Ghana 2010 (19).
Camp BALL, Capacity-Building Workshop on the Health Benefits of Moringa, Cape Coast Field Trip, Community Rabbit-Rearing Project, Daughter to Work Day, Environment Club, Fufulso Schools Rainwater Collection System, Ghana Longboat HIV Educational Expedition (GLEE), HIV/AIDS Educational Murals, HIV/AIDS Outreach Radio Broadcast, HIV/AIDS Peer Educator Workshop for Tea and Kenkey Sellers, Household Compost Latrine Project, ICT Computer Lab for JHS, Love Life: Valentine's Day Football Gala, No Wealth Without Health … further results
Other Projects in Ghana (41).
Beaders' Community Workshop, Business Camp, Camp BALL, Capacity-Building Workshop on the Health Benefits of Moringa, Cape Coast Field Trip, Community Rabbit-Rearing Project, Computer and Library Access, Computers for Junior High School, Cultural Club, Daughter to Work Day, Environment Club, Expansion of Rainwater Harvesting System, Fufulso Schools Rainwater Collection System, Ghana Longboat HIV Educational Expedition (GLEE), HIV/AIDS Educational Murals … further results
Other Projects by Volunteers from Texas (19).
Matthew Acre, Amber Barger, David Bauer, Steve Beckman, Business Plan Development Seminars, Center and School for Orphans, Center for Community Development, Community Literacy, Jolie Dennis, Disabled Peoples' Organizations Union of Ukraine Job Training Center Equipment, English Literacy Center, Fergana Printing of HIV/AIDS Brochures, ICT Computer Lab for JHS, Khorol English and Technology Project, Jody Kincaid … further results
Other SPA Projects by Volunteers (7).
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Info about the ICT Computer Lab for JHS

[edit] Title

ICT Computer Lab for JHS

[edit] Purpose and Approach

At the Junior High School (JHS), the teachers and headmaster are serious education providers. Provided with few materials and funding locally, they are still enthusiastically active in the education of the students. With the continuing promotion in Ghana of the importance ICT education, the Project Team understands the need for improving the school’s resources to provide a proper learning environment for its students. In addition, the teachers and students at the primary level will have access to the computers as well. The project aims to build a new structure attached to the school specifically designed as a computer lab with the security necessary to keep the computers and equipment safe from outside forces such as theft, weather, and bugs, mice, and other critters.

[edit] Objective

1. To construct a computer lab that is affixed to the existing school.
2. To improve the ICT skills for teachers and students at the JHS and primary schools.

[edit] Action Plan

1. Meet with counterpart and headmaster to plan the room.
2. Call craftsmen from the town to give estimates for building a room that would be two-thirds the size of a regular classroom. Get estimates from a mason, an electrician, and a carpenter for labor and materials.
3. Research the cost of computers and peripherals.
4. Apply for a SPA grant under the Basic Education sector for a computer lab.
5. Get letter in writing from the district office committing to sustain and protect project.
6. Buy materials, transport to site, and store in safe room.
7. Construct new computer room and connect electricity.
8. Paint building.
9. Buy computers and install.

[edit] Budget

Currency Exchange Rate: 1.43 Ghana Cedis = 1.00 US Dollars

[edit] Additional PC Resources

See Peace Corps ICT Manual (under construction).

[edit] Project Reflection and Sustainability

From Fowler

From Guillermo

Continuity and sustainability are the two main risks of building a computer lab. If the computers are not maintained, they slowly break down. The district education office was required to pre-approve the headmaster spending some of his capitation funds on computer maintenance every year. This would go towards a specialist looking at and repairing the computers, as well as buying small parts that may waste through use. To prevent theft, the district education office was required to hire a night watchman to stay at the school.

My main concern of the project was budget management. I knew that many of the numbers from the estimates were going to be off but I didn’t know by what degree. Some of the challenges in writing the application were estimates written in Dagbani, estimates in a mixture of old and new currency, hand-written estimates, estimates sometimes itemized and sometimes totalled, being sure every single item was accounted for. Also, some of the materials were “theft attractive” and needed to be kept under lock and key.

My plan was to be as frugal as possible with all the spending, literally watching every pesewa that was spent, and fight over any additional costs that were not originally agreed upon. My concern was that if we went over budget, we would have to cut into the computer budget and buy less PCs than expected. My counterpart and I did all the purchasing rather than giving money to the tradesmen.

My counterpart and the PC PTA were able to source materials locally at good prices and diffuse difficult situations with vendors. Students also provided labor for unloading material.