7 Jun 2011

One laptop per child extended into remote PNG areas

8:19 am on 7 June 2011

The one laptop per child scheme is being extended into remote areas in Papua New Guinea with the assistance of the PNG Sustainable Development Programme Ltd, which distributes funds from the Ok Tedi mine.

The lap top scheme has been introduced a number of countries around the Pacific, including Niue, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands.

Lawrence Stephens,the programme manager for community and social investment, says till now the scheme hasn't taken off in PNG, but the company is helping eight schools in Western Province, three in Sandaun and another in Western Highlands.

"We are showing people how it can be done with solar power, and electricity but solar power because most of our schools are so isolated, and we are hoping to see much more support come behind it as we go along, because it really makes a huge difference if people can understand basic ICT in the education programmes for young children."