Open School Labs provides computer labs to schools and communities in Cameroon with Open Source Educational Software installed on them. The computers also provide access to millions of educational resources through the eGranary Digital Library developed by the University of Iowa, USA.
We chose Open Source software in order to break the silence surrounding Open Source Technology in Cameroon as well as bridge the gap between education and IT with in an innovative, creative, new and pioneering way.
Open Source technology is also more virus resistant than most proprietary software.
In addition, Open Source Software can work well on low spec older computers as opposed to most proprietary software.
Above all, Open Source Software is free of charge to use and so frees us from the guilt of pirating proprietary software and boosts our integrity.
Our vision is to help people simplify their daily lives by helping them have access and training to the wealth of information available through the use of Open Source Software and Technology.
Our Objectives: 1. Set up Computer labs in schools running Open Source Software 2. Train School Teachers on how to access and use Open Source Software 3. Train Students on how to access and use Open SOurce Software 4. Set Up Community Information Centres (CICs) running Open Source Software and provide training to community members. 5. Design, promote and influence policies aimed at promoting the use of Open Source Software.
The Project combines Computers, Open Source Software and the Internet.
Computers are a minimum of Pentium 4 or equivalent and we are using in particular OpenSuse Linux Distribution loaded with tons of educational software to help both students and teachers learn better.
The eGranary Digital Library delivers millions of Internet resources to institutions lacking adequate Internet access. Through a process of copying Web sites and delivering them to intranet Web servers, this digital library delivers educational materials for instant access over local area networks (LANs)
We target students and teachers in Secondary and High Schools in Cameroon.
- $47,000 raised so far
- Over 400 computers shipped from the UK to Cameroon already.
- More than 22 schools and community Information Centres recruited
- Teachers trained
- Educational Open Source Software developed with students and teachers in mind
- 6 labs already installed and working in 6 schools
- Strategic partnerships built around the project.
- 6 International Volunteers recruited for the project from the USA and Chile. These 6 raised a total of over US$ 12,600 for the project already.
