The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is extending a $5.9 million grant to support Samoa's efforts to increase the use of information and communication technology (ICT) in education.

The SchoolNet and Community Access Project will support the Samoan government's efforts to improve the overall efficiency of the education sector and develop the capacity of the government, teachers and students from government and mission secondary schools, in delivering education using ICT.

The total project cost is estimated at $6.9 million, with ADB providing the grant from its Asian Development Fund. The remaining $1 million will be funded by the government. The project is expected to run until December 2012.

The Project is expected to improve the quality of teaching and learning in secondary schools, create better access to education through ICT and strengthen education management and coordination.

"The Schoolnet and Community Access Project aims to help create a more equitable and effective ICT-enhanced education system in Samoa," said Indu Bhushan, Director, ADB...’s Pacific Department. "Improved knowledge sharing through ICT is also an essential outcome of this project."

Education remains a priority for the government. The sector has made significant achievements, including an adult literacy rate of 98.7%, the highest in the region. However, the quality and the efficiency of education remain disappointing in Samoa. There are significant variations in students' learning opportunities and achievements, particularly between urban and rural areas.

ICT plays an important role in delivering good education, allowing schools to use simulations, mind maps, illustrations of complex and abstract concepts and results as well as allowing for collaboration on projects and accessing extensive global databases for new ideas. This not only enhances the quality of the learning experience, but also significantly motivates students.

"The Project will allow the government to assess the impact of SchoolNet and ICT on learning outcomes and postsecondary employment, and will contribute to strengthening its research and evaluation capacity," said ADB Senior Social Sector Specialist Kowsar Chowdhury.



Regional neighbors and development partners will benefit from the project as a model showing the impact of nationwide ICT access on secondary student achievement and community development. In addition, the project will provide Internet access in all of Samoa's 22 districts, lowering the costs of extending ICTs to other institutions in the future.

ICT literacy is important in Samoa. Thirty-five percent of the population works overseas and generates 17% of the gross national income. ADB, 17/12/07.