CONNECT A SCHOOL, CONNECT A COMMUNITY

Government funding for education varies widely around the world.  Most governments with a strong commitment to education have backed up their policies with significant funding.  One area in which governments can publically prove their dedication to education is by funding school connectivity.  While resources may be available from other sources, those funding partners will want to see a concrete financial commitment by the government to indicate long-term sustainability.

In order to fund school connectivity, governments must either increase or reorient education budgets.  Additional government-related funding options include utilizing telecommunication sector regulatory tools such as universal service funds or implementing preferential tariffs and discounts for schools to obtain Internet access.

An example of government funding responsibility is found in Chile's Center for Education and Technology, known as Enlaces.  Administered by Chile’s Ministry of Education, Enlaces established the Funds for Broadband program in 2004.  Through this program, Enlaces provides funds for subsidized broadband Internet connectivity in schools.  Enlaces also manages the digital education network that connects public primary and secondary schools throughout Chile.

The Enlaces funds help to co-finance Internet connectivity service so that schools have adequate connection speeds for equipment in classrooms, teacher lounges, and libraries.  According to Enlaces, 75 per cent of subsidized schools have access to the Internet, and 67 perc ent of these have access to broadband.  In 2008, 2,644 schools were granted funds for broadband Internet connectivity.⁷⁵  Chile’s Technologies for a Quality Education Plan, announced in 2007, foresees an additional USD 200 million being spent on school infrastructure, including connectivity and computers, through 2010.

The Philippines provides an example of reallocating existing funding.  The Department of Education (the federal education ministry) is reorganizing its budget to fund the country’s plan to provide Internet access to all public high schools.⁷⁶