UPDATE:October 2nd, 2008
We continue to make progress in Cambodia, Laos and the Philippines and have selected a group to complete our evaluation in these countries. The group with support from Bob Kozma has begun to plan the evaluation program with our staff.
We are currently completing the installation of school computer labs and are continuing with our TPD trainings. Sustainability training and school support occurred during the period, and the software problems with the Jhai Computer system were resolved in the two remote village installations. The Laos team has also started focusing on the evaluation effort. In Laos, meetings were held with several senior officials of the Ministry of Education, including the Vice Minister. The Vice Minister is very interested in World Links continuing to work in Laos after the Japan Social Development Fund (JSDF) funding ends as he is very supportive of furthering efforts to introduce ICT into the school system, especially since he feels it will enhance English language skills- another one of the Ministry of Education’s priorities (In fact, beginning next year, Laos MOE will begin introducing English language study into primary schools). He stated that the MOE would work closely with World Links to identify a new donor to expand our program to schools from 3 provinces to all 6 provinces and to complete all four phases of the training program.
The students and teachers in the pilot schools are very enthusiastic about the World Links program. Several of the schools principals, including the only woman in the group, are driving the programs in their schools.
