By Minggu Simon Lhasa
BANGKOK, Nov 20 (Bernama) -- The phrase, "education for all", can only
be achieved if there is Internet access for everyone, said Minister of
Communication and Multimedia Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek.
Education is one of the most significant functions when it comes to Information Communications Technology (ICT), he said in his remarks as a panelist at the ITU Telecom World 2013 Dialogue Programme on Education Transformation: Importance of ICT in 21st Century Education, here Wednesday.
"The problem of the digital divide will widen if we cannot provide access to broadband and the development divide will further cause an education divide," he added.
In this regard, Shabery also saw the need to find solutions and the right model for each country.
"How many countries are really being connected in terms of accessibility, in respect of broadband and in providing devices and everything related to using ICT in education?" he asked.
He said the infrastructure demand in education was great and kept changing.
"Before, talks about the percentage of coverage among the population and penetration rate was good enough. But today, it is about the quality.
"An Internet speed of 1 mbps or 4 mbps is no longer sufficient and the United States as an example, has targeted to provide 100 million households with 100 mbps and to schools and other institutions at 1 gigabyte.
"How many of us are really on track to meet that kind of demand? For me that is very important," Shabery added.
Another major issue raised at the dialogue concerned teachers and their readiness to embrace ICT in education.
Macedonian Minister of Information Society and Administration Ivo Ivanovski said parents and grandparents are key to ensuring that ICT projects in education are a success.
He added that getting the support of teachers was a challenge and there are those who have been an obstruction from the start, in relating to his country's own experiences.
"But if you get the support of parents, the teachers will have to support ICT in education," he added.
-- BERNAMA
Education is one of the most significant functions when it comes to Information Communications Technology (ICT), he said in his remarks as a panelist at the ITU Telecom World 2013 Dialogue Programme on Education Transformation: Importance of ICT in 21st Century Education, here Wednesday.
"The problem of the digital divide will widen if we cannot provide access to broadband and the development divide will further cause an education divide," he added.
In this regard, Shabery also saw the need to find solutions and the right model for each country.
"How many countries are really being connected in terms of accessibility, in respect of broadband and in providing devices and everything related to using ICT in education?" he asked.
He said the infrastructure demand in education was great and kept changing.
"Before, talks about the percentage of coverage among the population and penetration rate was good enough. But today, it is about the quality.
"An Internet speed of 1 mbps or 4 mbps is no longer sufficient and the United States as an example, has targeted to provide 100 million households with 100 mbps and to schools and other institutions at 1 gigabyte.
"How many of us are really on track to meet that kind of demand? For me that is very important," Shabery added.
Another major issue raised at the dialogue concerned teachers and their readiness to embrace ICT in education.
Macedonian Minister of Information Society and Administration Ivo Ivanovski said parents and grandparents are key to ensuring that ICT projects in education are a success.
He added that getting the support of teachers was a challenge and there are those who have been an obstruction from the start, in relating to his country's own experiences.
"But if you get the support of parents, the teachers will have to support ICT in education," he added.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama Online
Wednesday 20 November,2013.
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