News & Events
August - November, 2003

International Education Week - School Connectivity Project for Tajikistan
November 16 - 21, 2003

Enhancement of local capacity on its way
October 20 - 26, 2003

On October 26, 2003 we have successfully ended the first Master Trainers workshop held at the facilities of the Technological University of Tajikistan. Ten participants and two observers have undergone an intensive one-week training led by an expert in the field of technology and education, Ms. Mary Burns. The training culminated in group presentations of interactive and interdisciplinary activities developed by the participants themselves. Ms Jennifer Washeleski from the Public Affairs Section of the US Embassy congratulated in person each participant at the end of their presentations.

The trainers will now start preparing themselves to hold similar training workshops with the selected teachers.

Institute of Professional Development cooperates with RI-SOL to improve qualifications of teachers in Tajikistan
October 20, 2003

The network of Institutes of Professional Development (IPD) in Tajikistan, under the guidance of the Ministry of Education, will start cooperation with RI-SOL in the area of improving teacher qualifications.

IPD of Gorno-Badakhshan Oblast in Khorog will send two of its Master Trainers to RI-SOL training as observers. Upon their return to GBAO, the observers will be asked to integrate the newly acquired knowledge into the training sessions they hold with in-service teachers throughout the oblast.

Babilon-T selected as official Internet connectivity provider
October 20, 2003

Babilon-T, the leading provider of Internet Connectivity in Tajikistan, has been chosen as the official Internet Service Provider (ISP) for connecting the first 10 schools selected for our project. Babilon-T will provide and assist in technical assessment and readiness for an Internet access and setup appropriate connectivity solutions in each of the schools.

Babilon-T has a large number of Internet Access Points in the country. Its two largest offices outside of Dushanbe: Kurgan-Teppe and Khujand serve as hubs for multiple smaller access points in the area. The Internet connection remains reliable at all times, as the network is based on radio system rather than on outdated and damaged telephone lines. Among Babilon's clients are many embassies (including the US Embassy) and international organizations such as Internews, IFRS, UNOPS, CADA, etc. To learn more about Babilon-T, click here.

Master Trainers selected
After a very competitive process, RI-SOL is pleased to announce that 10 Master Trainers have been selected. The representation of each region is proportionate to the number of schools to be connected in each region: 4 trainers from Dushanbe, 3 from Khujand, 1 from Kulob, 1 from Kurgan Teppe, and 1 from Khorog.

The competition was fierce and we would like to thank all for applying.

Master Training Program Launched
October 18, 2003

One of the most comprehensive components of the School Connectivity Program is Teacher Professional Development. Up to date, it is the only training available in Tajikistan that combines computer skills and interactive and student-centered teaching methodologies.

The overarching goal of this intervention is to enhance the local capacity of educators in use of technology in educational settings and everyday classroom activities. Our approach is based on train-the-trainer (TOT) model to ensure wider coverage in a more timely manner. The first step will include recruitment and selection of 10 Master Trainers. Once selected and trained, Master Trainers will be responsible for providing extensive and intensive training to 100 teachers from the 20 schools equipped and connected via our project, plus several other schools that expressed interest in being involved in the online collaboration. All training sessions, for Master Trainers and for teachers, will be free of charge.

By the end of training sessions, participants will have gained the basic computer skills (familiarity with word processing software, database and spreadsheet software, presentation software, Internet browsers, e-mail, basic principles of web design) and knowledge of student-centered, interactive and interdisciplinary teaching methodologies. Most activities are designed to reflect on several issues simultaneously as this helps the teachers get a complete understanding of technology can be applied to learning in a classroom setting.

The first training for Master Trainers will be organized in Dushanbe on October 20-26.

Public Affairs Officer of the US Embassy in Dushanbe collects technology tenders
October 13, 2003

Tender quotations were invited and collected from local equipment vendors at an official public meeting held on Monday, October 13th at 3:00 pm in RI-SOL's office. Public Affairs Officer, Ms. Jennifer Washeleski and Grants Officer, Mr. Abdumalik Kadrinov were present to ensure our policy of fair and open selection. Equipment quotations were requested for computers, peripherals such as printers and scanners, digital cameras, and generators. Fifteen companies participated in the process.

Final vendors will be selected by October 25th.

Multi-lateral NGO team created for school recruitment
October 1, 2003

After nearly four weeks of intensive recruitment with the assistance of our partner organizations, the time to submit applications came to a close on September 24th. In total, 70 applications were received from the regions of Dushanbe, Khujand, Kulob, Kurgan Teppe, and Khorog.

Applications will be reviewed by RI-SOL staff to ensure technical eligibility of all applicants. Several FLEX alumni will participate in the process to bring more of an outside perspective.

We wish to express our gratitude to the following organizations for helpings us in the distribution and collection efforts. The involvement of these organizations ensured a transparent non-biased recruitment process:

• ACCELS
• Aga Khan Educational Services
• CARE International
• Counterparts Consortium
• IFES
• ITTIFOK
• Junior Achievement - Tajikistan
• Mercy Corps
• Ministry of Education
• Open Society Institute
• Public Affairs Section, US Embassy
• SAODAT
• Save the Children UK
• Save the Children US
• UNDP/RRDP
• And many individuals from all regions of Tajikistan

School Recruitment starts
September 1, 2003

Along with the assistance of Public Affairs Section of the US Embassy in Tajikistan and Tajik Ministry of Education we officially started school recruitment for our project. Active school recruitment will take place in the following oblasts: Sugd, GBAO, Khatlon, and Republican Regions of Subordination.

As the Internet Learning Centers become a resource of entire communities, RI-SOL will evaluate the level of involvement and commitment from the khukumats, local educational offices, and other community groups. Schools will be selected according to rigorous selection criteria some of which are listed below. To view a complete list of criteria, please click here.

Motivation and creativity towards the use of computer technology and the Internet for teaching and learning.
• Inclusive of ethnic, social (such as refugees, orphans, or children with disabilities), and gender diversity.
• A minimum of 500 students actively attending 85% of all classes. At least 50% of the students in each year must be girls for the duration of the project.
• An English teacher committed to the project and students actively participating in English classes.
• Access to electricity for a at least 6 hours per day (differentiated by seasons) to provide adequate utilization of the ILCs by both schools and communities.
• Ability to provide a secure and appropriately prepared room.
• Fully committed to open access to ILCs for all teachers, students, and community members, including special-needs and disadvantaged populations.
• Commitment to developing sustainability and income-generation strategies for ILCs.

All schools are encouraged to apply. The full school application is available in Russian at connect-tajikistan.org

Applications are due on September 24, 2003

Project Launch
August 1, 2003

RI-SOL officially launched the School Connectivity Program in Tajikistan on August 1.
The dedicated program staff in Taj will start creating applications for school selection process and make site visits within the next few weeks.

As part of our objectives, each selected school will receive:

1. Computer facilities
2. Internet connectivity
3. Teacher training
4. Participate in online collaborative projects with US students.