| Mobile Computer Laboratory Launched to Provide ICT to Schools |  | 
Assistant Resident Representative of UNDP
in Samoa, Moana Luamanuvae,
cutting the ribbon
| |  | The country’s first Mobile Computer Laboratory has been launched at the Ministry of Education, Sports & Culture Main Office Headquarter Grounds in Malifa on Monday, 14th of September 2009, 2:00pm.
As ICT continues to rapidly grow and be deployed in Samoa by both the public and private sector affecting social and commercial life, the education sector has been slow in the assimilation of these new technologies. This deficiency is due to the high cost of equipment, lack of computer technical skills at schools and lack of teacher training in computer technologies.
Because technology-mediated education has been proven effective in supplementing standard school curricula, and exposing teachers to new ways of teaching methodologies the Ministry of Education., Sports & Culture came up with the initiative of a mobile computer laboratory, included in the Ministry's ICT Master Plan 2004-2007. The lab has been funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) through the two year ICT4D project. The lab is equipped with 6 laptops, a laser printer, a TV set with wide screen and the appropriate furniture and fittings.
Sustainability of the MCL will be dependent of other ICT Projects not only within the Ministry (eg One Laptop Per Child, Rural Internet Connectivity) but also through the Education Sector.
|  |  | The launch keynote address was given by the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology Chief Executive Officer, Tuaimalo Asamu Ah Sam.
Attendees were the Assistant Resident Representative of UNDP in Samoa, Moana Luamanuvae, Assistant CEO, Culture Division of MESC, Susuga Mose Fulu, Acting Chief Executive Officer of MESC, Afioga Alaifea Laititi Su’a, representatives of NZAID and AUSAID, Ministry of Finance, Assistant CEO for Aid Coordination and the management team of the Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture. |  |  |  | | | |
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