One laptop per teacher... in South Africa

Whenever I visit a successful project to put computers in schools, the teachers have lobbied me --hard, if ineffectively-- for a program that would let them get laptops for use at home. Now, in South Africa, it's happening: 

Minister Pandor announces Teacher Laptop Initiative 07 May 2009 The Minister of Education, Naledi Pandor MP, today announced a bold and substantive “ Teacher Laptop Initiative”. This is part of a critical strategy to take forward the objective of improving Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in teaching and learning.   The initiative aims to ensure every teacher owns and uses a laptop, by providing them with a monthly allowance which will cover the purchase costs as well as the costs of connectivity. The ICT package will consist of appropriate hardware and software, as well as, internet connectivity, all with prescribed minimum specifications. Teachers participating in the initiative will be required to utilize the facility in their teaching, as well as for administration. The initiative will be phased in from 1 July 2009, starting with the most senior teachers. Provincial Education Departments will implement the project and inform teachers about the venture. A monthly allowance will be paid to qualifying teachers for a period of 5 years, renewable every 5 years, upon proof of acquiring the computer.

Teachers never have enough time in school to brush up their skills, find resources, communicate (with other teachers, with students, with whomever). Having a laptop at home gives them the opportunity to do all of these things. The South Africa program is "opt in," it doesn't force lap-toppery on teachers. The program includes monthly check-ins to prove that the laptops are in place (not sold) and being used. And it provides a boat-load of targeted tools and resources (mostly developed by the MOE and Microsoft PiL). 

Most important, though, it's a huge sign of respect and professionalism. 

(Imagine you're a teacher, you're making maybe US $150 per month, your school suddenly gets 25 computers in a lab and your students get instructions in how to use them. You have to stay late to be trained, or maybe travel to another school, both of which cost you in terms of cash and opportunity. Your students already know more [and their parents make more than you do], they get more instruction, and they get more practice time. The ability to buy your own laptop is key. And, just as it is for students, the laptop itself and the program behind it--emphasizing your slender professionalism--is a major motivational factor.)

Yes.