That Vision 2020 is also embedded within the Millennium Development Goals and Education For All objectives reflects its pro-poor bias and here too, an understanding that ICT can play an enabling role in attempts to eradicate poverty. There remains a bold technology-centred focus in this Vision, although the educational imperatives are emerging increasingly strongly in subsequent iterations of ICT for Education policy documents. The latest version of the draft Costed Strategic Implementation Plan for ICT in Education underscores an educational rationale and the value that ICT can bring in delivering equitable, relevant, accessible and quality education. Whilst the latter does not provide a clear vision of curriculum reform and teacher professional development, the Implementation Plan is considered a starting point and considerations for curriculum reform and teacher development will be included as the strategy for the implementation of ICT for Education in the country evolves over time. Another important rationale for an ICT for Education Policy is an attempt by the GoR to coordinate, harmonize and synchronize the increasing number of projects and programmes on ICT in Education in Rwanda. The added rationale is to guide the management of present and future partnerships, stakeholders and projects around a consolidated national programme in education. While the leadership for the policy process related to Vision 2020 resides in the President’s office, the leadership for ICT in Education resides within the Ministry of Education and within it, the ICT in Education and Open and Distance eLearning Department. The stakeholders involved in the policy process are outlined in Table 5 below. The Government and their agencies play are leading stakeholders in this endeavour.
Table 5: ICT for Education Stakeholders, Rwanda Stakeholder Category
Stakeholder
Role
Central Government
President’s Office, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Infrastructure, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of ICT
Overall direction in line with national goals and priorities
Government Agencies
Rwanda Utilities Regulation Agency National Curriculum Development Centre Kigali Institute of Education Kigali Institute of Science and Technology incorporating the Regional ICT Research and Training Centre Rwanda Development Gateway Group
Support with delivery and implementation of ICT in Education programmes nationally
Ministry of Education
National Provincial District School management and administration Teachers
Coordination and oversight on all ICT in Education programmes and policies
International Private Sector
Agile Learning Microsoft Corporation Intel CISCO
Support and partnership with Ministry of Education and GoR in delivery of ICT in Education
Local Private Sector
Private Sector Federation Rock Global Consulting
Work with Government and its partners in delivery of ICT in Education programmes and projects
Donor and Development Agencies
USAID DFID UNESCO
Partnership with Government in delivery of broad education goals and with specific projects related to ICT in education
Civil Society and NGOs
OLPC Foundation Global eSchools and Communities Initiative Open Learning Exchange
Technical support to Government on matters relating to ICTs in Education
Community Organizations
CBOs Faith-based organizations Parents Parent–Teacher Associations
Support in local delivery of ICT in Education programmes and projects
Case Study: Rwanda
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