SURVEY OF ICT AND EDUCATION IN AFRICA - infoDev

nnbelieve serious investment in ICT had anything to do with facing the challenges of poverty that kills. Now Ithink we know better. We recognise that it is a vital and essential tool for fighting poverty—for beating povertythat kills—and ensuring our survival.”Kenya’s Education Minister Prof George Saitoti speaking at the second International Conference onICT for Development, Education and Training held in Nairobi, 2007: “In education, the use of ICTs offersnew ways in which the quality, effectiveness, and in particular, the flexibility of higher education can beimproved. When integrated into education, ICTs have the capacity to improve the delivery of educationthrough distance learning.”African Ministers of Education, meeting at the first African ministerial round table on ICT foreducation, training, and development in Nairobi on June 1, 2007, stated in their communiqué that:“ICTs are seen as one key solution that will allow African countries to meet the needs in rural and underservedareas and bring education to their citizens rapidly and cost efficiently.” They also resolved thathundreds of thousands of teachers require ICT skills to help achieve this goal.Survey of ICT and Education in Africa: A Summary Report Based on 53 Country Surveys