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(Date Posted:14/06/2008 20:51:22)
Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) are becoming key enablers of modern life though they are not accessible to all. The 2008-2009 Budget unveils measures to address the digital divide and build a Mauritius where there is social inclusion in a knowledge society. The budget provides for the setting-up of a National e-Inclusion Foundation on a joint public private partnership, initially bringing together Government, State Informatics Ltd, Microsoft IOI and private companies. The object of the Foundation is to facilitate access to ICT tools and raise awareness on their economic and social benefits, train users and trainers, and collaborate with NGOs to reach the poor and those at the margin of the digital society. To achieve the above objectives, the Foundation will donate refurbished PCs pre-installed with Microsoft free licences to 20,000 poor families within the next five years. Another 10,000 PCs will be given to NGOs for the setting-up of IT classes for the poor, this in conjunction with the Empowerment Programme. The Foundation will also operate an NGO IT Academy with the help of Microsoft for free classes in IT to be delivered specifically to IT teachers willing to acquire more precise knowledge, as well as to the staff of NGOs and to trainers. Internet access for poor families participating in the programme will be financed by the Human Resource Development, Knowledge and Arts Fund which is being set up. Other budgetary measures regarding ICT comprise: - Lowering of telecommunications tariffs;
- Extension of DBM computer loan scheme to include Net PCs from Mauritius Telecom for inexpensive computers costing Rs 7,000 through concessionary loans over 5 years for the full cost of the equipment and three year's worth of internet; and
- Development of hotspots for educational institutions and public places and expansion of IT school programme by the Ministry of Education in collaboration with Mauritius Telecom.
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