"Apparently, every high school in Ethiopia has similar equipment (including the plasma screen), paid for by the Ministry of Education."

I lived in Ethiopia for six months. I volenteered at dozens of High schools none of wich had a TV, let alone a plasma screen TV. I suggest you get your facts straight before you post things on the Internet.

"I suggest you get your facts straight before you post things on the Internet."

So when did you volunteer in these schools? I was told that these plasma screens had been installed only in the past six months.

The use of the word "apparenty", by the way, indicates that it was something I was told, not something I know as a fact.

And...why so angry?

I worked for UNESCO in Addis Ababa about a year ago and perhaps will again someday. I was there when the Ministry and UNESCO among others were having development meetings concerning the implementation of satellite feeds so that Addis-based teachers could teach in remote rural areas without actually having to travel there. It's brilliant to see that the stories and the dreams of folks doing this important work have come true and more importantly, that children can have the opportunity to get the best education possible.

I did some video work in remote areas like the one pictured on your sight. Believe me, they will have complications and they will have some trouble keeping the technology working properly. However, with routine maintenance, I am sure this could provide hundreds of hours of valuable teaching time.

I am encouraged by your post. Thank you for posting.

Oh, and concerning the thread, I believe that someday each High school in Ethiopia will have this capability if outfits like the one profiled are truly successful.

It was great to get some background on that Jason. Just one thing. Do you know why they chose to use plasma screens rather than TVs? Was it something to do with resolution? Or did someone just come up with a donation of a bulk load of screens?

I will do my best to visit the school in a few months to see how things are going.

Those TVs sure do look very expensive. I hope they were donated and not bought by the Ministry of Education. I would be interested to know how they got them.

How dose one get a CD copy of the plasma education I would like to study at home in my own computer.At school the English in plsma is not good for me , It is too fast and too short, the supporting materials are not easily avaliable particulurly for those of us out side Addis. My teachers are not some times sure of the subject may be because of the Enlish like my self. Most students are not happy with the plasma. We would like to get copy of the CDs so we could study at our own time. Please help us.
Feven

I am grateful to you; I was talking to a student
about his examination result and he mentioned on our coversation about how the plasma was to fast for him and many did not finish doing all the questions on the exam. I was totally lost
by the word "plasma" and got it clear after i read your journey to southern part of Ethiopia. I never imagined it was video application of it. I live in Silicon Valley way far from south.
printing press helped us and Sattelite may do the same again. How can we reduce the digital divid globally unless we try it. Someting is better than nothing.

Oh Mesqel Square Blogger, how I love thee, let me count the ways. As an expat Ethiopian living in the States I have been drinking in your blogs. So, thanks. Much.

Now... regarding these Plasmiucators:

I can't even *start* to imagine how much this venture cost to put together. And while nothing warms my heart than the sight of a Plasma TV, let me throw this out: Addis Ababa University annually churns out some of the smartest kids this side of the equator. Unfortunately, most cannot find employment and struggle in menial jobs, or, if they are lucky, emigrate to the US and end up in a university in … Idaho, where their skills are appreciated more than in Ethiopia.

Call me crazy, but instead of plastering Plasma TVs that most definitely have a shelf life (is class cancelled if the remote control’s lost?), would it have made sense to offer great incentives to these graduates to go to these remote villages to teach--- even on a contract basis… With a hefty salary (that will PALE in comparison to the cost of a plasma plus its accoutrements) and generous enticement and encouragement, how hard would it be to attract some of the best minds to teach in these places? Will this not a) promote civic pride? b) very cost effective c) sane d) be *self sufficient* thereby inching closer to independence from the whims of the World Bank and the IMF?

Besides, how can we underestimate the power of the bond created between teachers and students that indelibly affect youngsters? Don’t you remember a teacher who changed your life?

Or am I being a bad global citizen for thinking that we have willfully traded humanity for shiny objects. Will the students get the same comfort from sitting by the feet of a plasma TV looking into the eyes of someone who talks too fast? I am yet to understand global aid… Perhaps I watch too much “Apprentice”. Someone help me…. understand.

Molqaqa,

If what if I add to ur info that, students in the different regions of the country are not thought the different subjects in English (except one period of English) till 9th grade and take the school leaving examination at 10th grade IN ENGLISH. They were struggling even with the actual teachers, and I cannot imagine how hard it is for them to learn from an English speaking machine that will not interact with them. It is a mess, but I don't think there is any other way it can be tackled - not even your suggestion. Let's be honest, do you think any salary would keep someone from an opportunity to come to the US? And as for the money involved, you can only invest on the technology and equipment once and just keep maintaining it, but it could be hard to keep satisfying the appetite of teachers (specially with a big enough salary to keep them from looking else where). Even if they do that, I do not think there can be enough teachers considering the explosion in population/students.

I am working in the university of Gondar for the last two years. We dont have over-head projectors in all the class rooms???? - you are talking about Samsung plasma video screen .....
ha....ha....ha....

Hi, There are lots of positive things happening in Ethiopia on the education front. The Educational TV broadcast lessons are not yet available on computer media (CD and network) but is being converted with a donation from Business Connexion. If you need more information, email me. Waldi.vanzyl@bcx.co.za

is there any effect plasma education on student performance

I personally believe there is a positive effect - Also from what I heard from the field. However I am obviously just a bystander with no official standpoint. I will ask the questions when I am back in Addis early in 2006, when I will probably visit schools in Awassa and Bahir Dar.

By the way, I did see the plasmas in operation and the students where I visited were very attentive and the teachers filled in the question time very well, thereby keeping the attention of the students on the subject.

I want to have plasma CD

Plasma schools... I am wondering if anyone has any feedback on how this program is going? i have seen these plasma schools in jinka and mekele. Few of the kids could understand the fast-paced english lessons. i would be interested in hearing from the education sector about how plasa schools are doing enter their second year. has anyone evaluated these programs? the government has spent $100 million on this by the way, and has invested little in training teachers or in raising their salaries.

HI I want to know other countries experience on this field and the Mechanisem (how can it works?)
Thank you for your fast respons

Dear Sirs,

I am a final year student & working on a paper regarding Assessment of Plasma technology in Ethiopian Highschools.

However, at the moment I have faced a difficulity in getting more information about the plasma technology installed in the Ethiopian high schools specifically on merits and demerits eventhough I distributed questioners to highscholl students in Addis. In case you are able to provide me the required information, which you think would be much of some assistance please forward it to me. Thanks.

It is so fine

please comeback

Hi Most of you,

I think most of you guys are being optimistic. I don't mind if you don't like what is currently happening here. That's totally up to you. However, what if we choose to invest on plasma screen? I'm sure you would all say "wow" if just somebody, from where you currently are, writes a proposal for this project. Be with us or leave us alone. YOu may not have these facilities where you are now? Who do you think you are the only one to be provided with these items while we are not? Please leave us alone! It is true, though, that we have hard time understanding the teachers on the screen. But I just would like to remind you your firs quarter of a year in the US or elsewhere. WE WILL GET USED TO IT. And finally how come you start to think that you are the only one to be able to operate these items?

Shame on you the so called "Ethiopians"

please ,I am expecting responce for my requesst.

How do you do? I have read the issue. I am currently conducting a research related to teaching writing through the Plasma TV. However I found it difficult to get materials about the Plasma TV. If you get materials, please remember me!
Thanks

i am resident of Omosheleko Tamabaro woreda .I was born in Le-Zembara.my comment is concerninig my woreda adminstration.They are narrow nations,bribeful,they are not educated.Generally they playing on lives of educated students .Most of graduated students of the woreda are not employed still now .As u all know the students graduated from univesity in month of july but not yet employed.All the students are from poor farmers family.The woreda adminstartion is familiar of all this issue.The reason Behind is discount the students salary of at least three or four months & use about their personal expenses .This is great Shame.This & all other unsloved problems lagged the woreda backward.

hello dears,i am handebo Ayele from Addis Ababa university faculty of technology.i am resident of omo sheleko woreda.the major problem of the city students is lack of public library.most of the students are wasting their time after school simply walking & gambling.in my opnion this is due to lack of public library to read fiction books besides their acadamic staffs & also lack of entertainment facilities.The woreda municpality is doing no thing to solve this problem.Actually there is one NGO called world vision of the area doing no thing to solve the affore mentioned problems.I wonder why this is so! Every body in the woreda adminstartion is using the NGO to to get incentive in every workshop to farmers by the NGO.I am realy sorry! No one is coordinating the above NGO by preparing some useful proposal & projects.This time some graduate christian students & students of Addis Ababa univeristy are doing in coordination with World visiop International ethiopia omosheleko ADP.I finaly want to thank Amanuel Abera who isstudent of FBE economics department & coordinating Addis Ababa University students & Marta who is emloyee of world vison omosheleko ADP working the wholl work concerning the library program.I want to inform world vision ethiopia omosheleko ADP to work concerning the library & other useful works! please the residents of omosheleko tambaro woreda help urself & every body who is reading this help omosheleko!