The MCT programme in perspective

Measuring the impact

Interim evaluation studies undertaken by IDRC in the period 2000–2001 have shown that the MCTs in Timbuktu and Nakaseke have made a significant impact in terms of services for the communities. Similar trends are seen to be developing in Sengerema and, at a more basic level, in Malanville.

Attaining economic sustainability while providing required public services for the communities is the objective, and all the projects are crafting appropriate solutions based on local conditions. In 2001, the Nakaseke MCT introduced a system of subscription-based usage — a fee equivalent to USD 59 per child for each of the 8000 school children. During 2002, the International Development Research Centre, ITU and UNESCO will carry out a final evaluation of MCT pilot projects, with special emphasis on measures of sustainability, as well as on the future role of international development programmes in this area.

Over the years, MCT projects have gained popularity in the countries concerned and the communities which they serve. They have attracted the cooperation of several other development agencies, which contribute in their areas of competence to the pilot projects.

A key factor in their successful take-off and operation has been the extent to which the projects have been planned and supported at the national and local level, the extent of ownership assumed by the persons in charge and the drive they have shown in involving different groups. Equally important is the involvement of users and the community in which the telecentres operate. Telecommunication infrastructure and sound maintenance of the equipment is a key determinant of the functioning of the telecentres. Major issues which emerge are:

• Reliable access to the Internet is often difficult to obtain and/or to afford in isolated areas in developing countries, even with the strong support of government and telecommunication operators. Implementation of national universal access programmes can contribute significantly.

• Poor software and hardware maintenance, unavailability of essential systems and applications software causing long breakdowns.

• Greater attention needs to be paid to defining strategies that can help overcome the barriers caused by low literacy, IT literacy and affordability.

Telecommunication facilities, established as part of the projects, represent an invaluable resource whose usage has to be multiplied. This can be done, in most cases, with a comparatively small additional investment. However, experience so far demonstrates that providing hardware for the installation of a telecentre is the relatively easy part. The real challenge, whether in the early telecentres or in the newer models lies in the provision of relevant and useful content to the local community.

Furthermore, while evidence increasingly points to the social relevance of MCTs, there are question marks on their long-term economic sustainability. Given that MCTs are pilot projects, examining what works and what does not is a key follow-up activity. Extrapolating the best practice models necessitates work, such as setting up appropriate evaluation mechanisms to gather information on the short-and long-term effects of MCTs and disseminating that information. However, while it may often not enter into the business plan, social viability must be rated as highly as financial feasibility. Upgrading the skills of the local health worker could translate into two lives being saved, a new teacher trained equals a generation of responsible citizens. Community telecentres must, therefore, be seen in the light of vital benefits to society. The cost of not having a facility may prove deadlier than the cost of maintaining one.

Models for sustaining community access that can provide access to the majority have to evolve from initiatives of entrepreneurs as well as governments. Both should join forces to develop a national system that will support a range of private, public and small-scale initiatives to bring ICT within the reach of the majority of the people. This will include regulatory structure, creation of organizations that can provide business support and training, developing indigenous content and access to credit and fiscal mechanisms which provide incentives to entrepreneurs. ITU Member States thus have a role to play not only in incorporating such community benefits into the planning of telekiosks, MCTs and variations of such models, but also in providing the enabling financial, fiscal, legal and regulatory infrastructure.