e-Taalim

The African learning network (ALN) is one of the programmes within the African Information Society Initiative (AISI) aunched at the 22nd meeting of ECA’s Conference of Ministers in charge of social and economic development and planning in May 1996.

The ALN is based on the premise that transformation in education and learning requires a shift from traditional methods where new technologies can create the opportunity for the best minds to exchange information across vast distances, both at country level and across the Diaspora. Information can be shared and knowledge developed with large numbers of young learners by communicating across the geographical divide using radio, video, computers and the Internet.

There are three pillars to the ALN:

• ICTs in schools, and the creation of a regional SchoolNet Africa structure that supports national and regional school networking activities;
• VarsityNet, which establishes connectivity at universities and related institutions of higher learning and research, and stimulates the development of content production and information sharing within this environment.
• OOSYNET, a youth networking initiative that addresses the needs of Out-Of-School Youth (OOSY) at both national and regional level

SchoolNet Africa is a network of  schoolnet organizations and  practioners operating in upto 30 African countries. Its vision is to empower the African child to be an active global participant through the effective use of information and communication tecnologies (ICTs) in education. It aims to support national schoolnets throughout Africa by mobilising resources, building effective partnerships and knowledge in promoting education through sustainable use of ICTs in African schools.

VARSITYNET
Under the auspices of the African Information Society Initiative (AISI) and the African Learning Network, ECA will pilot a unique initiative between universities, private and public sectors on R & D in developing applications for e-government and African languages through Open Source Software (OSS). This is being piloted in Ethiopia and Uganda.