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This is to
introduce and invite your interest in and support for
Knowledge Aid Sierra Leone, a project which aims to
introduce Information and Communications Technology into our
educational system. Far from being merely a good idea on paper,
a pilot project has already been launched by Hon. Vice President
Solomon Berewa on behalf of H E The President, Alhaji Dr. Ahmad
Tejan Kabbah. High end computers have been installed in three
schools and two colleges, a server at Sierratel and another at
Fourah Bay College, have shown that the project is viable.
One of our
immediate targets was to make an impact on the poor results of
candidates at the West African Senior School Certificate
Examinations (WASSCE). So far we have searched the Internet and
have downloaded materials in three weak subjects; Mathematics,
Biology and Literature which we then harmonized with the
syllabus for the examination and ended up with virtual text
books. We have circulated this material on an experimental
basis to fourteen schools for use and comment. On receipt of
their reactions we intend to revise this material where
necessary, and make it available throughout the country. We
have already received very favourable and enthusiastic
preliminary responses. We have also started work on similar
lines for compilations in Physics, Agricultural Science and
Economics. This work will continue until we have covered all 24
subjects taken in this examination.
Although the
idea was born in Sierra Leone and has been developed through
cooperation between Knowledge Aid United Kingdom, the local
Knowledge Aid committee, the Ministry of Education, the British
Council, Sierratel and Fourah Bay College, financial support
originally came from the United Kingdom where friends of Prof.
Eldred Jones have raised funds for equipment, the training of
managers and other expenses. They will continue fund raising
but if the project is to expand to include more schools
throughout the country, we must raise funds locally. Some
reputable local institutions – Banks, Insurance Companies,
Sierra Leone State Lottery among them have already made valuable
financial contributions to assist this work and I am now
inviting your organization to join them.
Every effort is
being made to run this project as economically as possible and
all the committee members, both in the United Kingdom and in
Sierra Leone are giving their services free, while teachers who
act as managers in their schools are given a small incentive
payment. Nevertheless the proper establishment of the Internet
is expensive in terms of equipment and running costs. For
example, one computer costs about £1,000.00 sterling and there
are running costs such as salary for the project coordinator,
incentive payments for managers, as well as transport costs
which will increase as the service expands. If Sierra Leone is
not to be left behind, our children must be equipped for the 21st
Century and it is our duty to make this possible.
You might
consider giving a significant lump sum or make an annual
donation in support of Knowledge Aid Sierra Leone.
I enclose an
expanded description of Knowledge Aid Sierra Leone and would be
happy to call personally and discuss this further with you if
you so wish.
I look forward
to hearing from you.
Very best
wishes
Yours sincerely
________________
Eldred D. Jones
Chairman - KASL
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