“We are providing free quality internet connectivity for schools, technical and vocational institutions (TECH-VOC), universities, including all district and regional libraries in the country. This effort gears towards accelerating quality learning outcome,” he said.
He said this first phase of SALCAB’s internet school connectivity project is targeting 500 schools across the country with the principal objectives of promoting electronics learning for students, establishment of automated school management software to enable a seamless administration of schools by school authorities.
Additionally, he noted, it would promote the culture of research among students at an early age, and subsequently instilling a sense of independent learning among them.
He cited that on the 16th July, 2019, a team of SALCAB staff embarked on another week-long survey activity on schools in various towns in the provinces.
“This set of survey, which targeted a total of 92 Schools in mostly rural communities, was conducted the North, South and Eastern regions of the country. Masiaka, Mile 91, Koribondo, Jimmy, Zimmi Pujehun, Kenema among others, are towns where schools were surveyed and are now set to benefit from the free quality internet connectivity ahead of next academic session,” he disclosed.
He said once these schools are connected by SALCAB for their scholarly work, it would prove a great deal of academic importance for not only the students and their teachers, but members of the communities, who would rely on the platform to explore internet facilities and other social media utilities.
“Seeing internet connectivity as a way of life, SALCAB’s Managing Director, Ishmael Kebbay, is highly passionate to seeing schools in the rural communities connected to internet as this will actualize his dream of taking internet to the door-step of average sierra Leoneans irrespective of where they live,” he added.
According to the SALCAB PRO, when the internet connectivity for schools project is brought to fruition, it would prompt the rise of internet penetration rate in the country which currently stands at 16% and considered very low.
Quizzed about the general feelings of authorities whose schools were surveyed as prospective beneficiaries of the SALCAB school connectivity project, he said they wasted no time to heap barrage of praises, thanks and humble appreciation on SALCAB officials.
“We want to thank the Managing Director of SALCAB for his humane and thoughtful consideration to implement such a project at our schools. This would have only been a far-fetched dream to enjoy internet connectivity owing to its high cost of installation and running,” he quoted the school authorities as saying.
