INTERNATIONAL LITERACY INSTITUTE

07 June 2005

Progress Update on Bridges to the Future Initiative (BFI) in
South Africa

In its effort to leverage the potential of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to improve literacy and life skills in poor and disadvantaged communities, the BFI has established a collaborative partnership with key governmental and non-governmental organizations in South Africa. Following initial discussions, an MOU was signed between the ILI and the S. A. Department of Education (DOE); eventually a broader partnership was formed with the Limpopo Provincial Department of Education (PDOE), DOE, Digital Partnership South Africa (DP-SA) and International Literacy Institute (ILI). An additional MOU was signed with the Limpopo PDOE in July 2004. Additional agencies added to the BFI partnership now include: University of Limpopo, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Reusable Objects, and Microsoft.

Signing of BFI MOU with the South Africa Department of Education
Dr. Thamsanqa Mseleku, Director General, and the ILI/University of Pennsylvania Dr. Dan Wagner, Director

As a consequence of on-going discussions, BFI has moved forward in two significant areas of work:

>Multimedia software for improving literacy and access to information

ILI and DP-SA are partnering with Reusable Objects (a South African software developer) to develop BFI multimedia material. A BFI prototype has now been achieved in the Sepedi language, the first of its kind in South Africa, using state of the art technology to provide educational and informational resources. While some aspects of the BFI prototype model developed in India will be maintained, the BFI-SA prototype is tailored to South Africa’s cultural and social context. Careful attention has been paid to the linguistic context of Limpopo. Education specialists, including the Pan South African Language Board (PanSALB) have been consulted on language issues. The BFI-SA prototype is currently being pilot tested in Limpopo Province, with downstream development in Xitsonga, Tshivenda and English in the planning stages.

> Baseline Implementation and Impact Assessment research –
collaboration with the University of Limpopo

The BFI will be deployed initially in a dozen or so Community Learning and Technology Centers (CLTC), located in poor areas of Limpopo province, largely in schools and multipurpose community centers where IT infrastructure is available. Choice of CLTC sites will be determined by: proximity to presidential “nodal” areas; proximity to ABET adult education programs; security; maintenance; overall facility infrastructure. Security policies for ICTs will be reviewed in detail, including community involvement/ownership, physical infrastructure etc. In order to develop a sustainable model, the level of maintenance and support the CLTC is likely to receive will also be taken into account.

Signing ceremony of BFI at the University of Limpopo, Polokwane, Limpopo, S.A. Representatives from the University administration and faculty, the Limpopo Provincial Department of Education, and the ILI/University of Pennsylvania

In collaboration with the University of Limpopo, the BFI has begun a baseline implementation and assessment study, with support from the Spencer Foundation, to determine the literacy, language and employment needs of the poor communities in Limpopo where the BFI will be rolled out. In addition, this baseline study will provide a benchmark for analyzing the impact of the educational multimedia on youth learning and related consequences.

For more information, contact:
Prof. Dan Wagner
wagner@literacy.upenn.edu
www.literacy.org
ILI/University of Pennsylvania