In an interview with the BBC, Nigeria’s education minister questioned the need for laptops in poorly equipped schools.
Dr Igwe Aja-Nwachuku said: “What is the sense of introducing One Laptop per Child when they don’t have seats to sit down and learn; when they don’t have uniforms to go to school in, where they don’t have facilities?”
“We are more interested in laying a very solid foundation for quality education which will be efficient, effective, accessible and affordable.”
Without too much cognizance about the political nature of the Nigerian minister’s comments, I still agree with his views. The panacea approach of the Western World for all problems elsewhere in the world, without going into the depth of the culture, history and problems, will not bring in a lasting and self-sustaining effect.
I agree with the issue at hand (a mis-assessment of priorities) but I disagree with the comment. Frankly, I’m a wee bit weary of comments like “the west keeps trying to impose its ‘solutions’ on a developing world it doesn’t understand” or “only Africans can develop Africa”, etc. The majority of the professionals working in the development field are from developing countries (I know this firsthand because I also work in this field). Much of content of design and implementation recommendations for development interventions is articulated by local professionals, not to mention the massive efforts that every project and program goes through to get “stakeholder” feedback and involvement. Blaming the “West” for getting it wrong again (or for advocating panaceas) is simply misinformed.