---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Thu, 15 Feb 2001 21:46:26 -0800
From: Carol McRoberts <[log in to unmask]>
Reply-To: [log in to unmask]
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [wa-afr] Fw: [women-csd] Illiterate-survey

FYI

Subject: [women-csd] Illiterate-survey


Most Tanzanians IT illiterate - survey
Tuesday, January 23, 2001
By Joyce Mkinga

Majority of the Tanzanian population are information technology (IT) illiterate, a report on Survey of the Need for Vocational Training Programme for ICT Professionals in Tanzania has revealed.
Findings of the survey done by a Swedish based firm, Industrial Trading and Consulting (LAMTRAC AB), and presented to the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Transport and Communication, Salim Msoma yesterday said many people are information and communication illiterate.
Senior consultant and managing director Kurt Westerlund, who was accompanied by the Swedish Ambassador to Tanzania, Sten Rylander, said there was a need to educate people on ICT technology through TV and radio.
Westertlund said most of the training being done in the country was theoretical rather than practical.He said there was a need to adopt the available software to fit the Tanzanian situation, a move that required skilled professionals.
"Much as it is not a big problem now, but in two to three years to come, this will be the biggest problem," he said.
The LAMTRAC AB Managing Director said administrative systems in the country were still manual and there was a need for their computerisation.
"We have seen a lot of possibilities of information on communication technology industry and the companies which can provide IT services in the country," he said.
He said ICT could play a big role in country's development in different areas.
Through the support of Sweden government, the organisation has started three pilot studies on Information Communication Technology in the country.
Earlier, the Swedish Ambassador in Tanzania, Sten Rylander, said his country was ready to support the National Information Technology Strategy.
"Today information technology is the leader of development all over the world," he said.
Responding, Msoma said Tanzanians and especially those in Dar es Salaam, tended to adopt new technology faster compared with other Sub-Saharan African countries, with exception of South Africa.
Msoma said his office would go through the report and act accordingly.
However, the PS said his Ministry would have to co-ordinate with other ministries involved in information technology such as Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology and Commission of Science and Technology.



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