Refurbished computers for African schools: opportunity or threat?

Refurbishing used and second hand computers is one means among many for African schools to gain access to affordable information and communication technologies (ICTs). However, addressing Africa’s digital divide is not simply a matter of shipping unwanted computers from the developed world. Not every second-hand computer is suitable for re-use. By sending unusable personal computers (PCs) to Africa, the developed world is dumping on to Africa the environmental challenge of disposing of the toxic substances in PCs.

This is the subject of debate among African practitioners promoting access to ICTs for educational use in schools. Contributing to the debate is a study commissioned by SchoolNet Africa (SNA) which assesses the experience of African schoolnet organisations that have received second-hand and refurbished computers ('refurbs').

This study was used as a basis for discussion at a conference of African schoolnet policy-makers and practitioners in Botswana in April 2003. Here some argued that the total cost of ownership of a refurb could be higher than that of a new PC owing to its additional maintenance costs and shorter lifespan. Most felt, however, that it is too early to judge as the numbers of second-hand PCs arriving in Africa are still very low relative to demand.

The study also states that in the next five years, an estimated 600 million PCs will be disposed of in industrialised countries. Sending them to Africa is not only good for corporate profile building, but also relieves companies of the increasing costs of complying with electronic waste regulations which now stipulates that a European company has to pay between 40 and 70 Euros to legitimately dispose of a PC.

The experience of SNA and its partners in seven African countries who were involved in the study shows that:

• Approximately 20% of second hand PCs shipped to African schoolnet organisations are faulty and not re-usable.
• Donors largely confine ICTs support to supplying PCs – rather than ensuring donated PCs are installed in good working order for an affordable price.
• Refurbishment is mostly done by international non-governmental organisations (NGOs) based in industrialised countries and not within Africa.
• Most projects have been unplanned – little has been done to develop ICTs capability (both technical and educational) in schools.
• Schools report receiving many different makes and models of PC – some without operating systems or educational software.
• Only a few second hand PC providers have evaluated the effectiveness of their work.

Poor schools are also often ill prepared, lack spare parts and training and put equipment in rooms where few people have access to it. However, there have also been reports of successful experiences with using imported, refurbished PCs. Under the right circumstances, unwanted computers can have useful second lives.

SNA argues that future projects must be consistent, scaleable and coordinated. Streamlining and improving the supply pipeline requires:

• developing refurbishing and maintenance skills in Africa
• coordinating international PC donation schemes - sustainability is reduced where there are multiple providers in each developed country
• taking action to build in-school ICTs capacity
• including the cost of shipping, import duties, local transport, installation, maintenance and disposal costs into the cost-benefit analysis of importing second-hand PCs.

Partnerships which bring together funders, donors, NGOs, governments and local refurbishment businesses are essential if schools are to receive sufficient numbers of quality PCs to have a meaningful impact on Africa’s digital divide.

In light of the research findings and extensive subsequent consultation with its network of practitioners, SNA has adopted a policy statement on the use of refurbished PCs for education and also embarked on a Campaign for 1 Million PCs for African Schools. This campaign focuses on sourcing ICTs (new and second hand) in large volumes, building technical, managerial and pedagogical capacity, women's empowerment and the establishment of Technical Services Centres.

Source(s):
'Treat refurbs and Africa with respect: towards a framework on refurbished computers for African schools’ by SchoolNet Africa, March 2004 Full document.
SNA position statement on the use of refurbished computers in education
Campaign for one million PCs for African Schools. Call for Partners Full document.

Funded by: The Commonwealth of Learning and the International Institute for Communication and Development

id21 Research Highlight: 7 March 2005

Further Information:
Shafika Isaacs-Bardien
SchoolNet Africa
PO Box 31866
Braamfontein
2017
Johannesburg
South Africa

Tel: +27 11 339 2300
Fax: +27 11 339 5912
Contact the contributor: info_aekw@schoolnetafrica.org

SchoolNet Africa, South Africa

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