By Boris Esono Nwenfor
FONTEM, PAV – Students at Our Lady Seat of Wisdom College, Fontem, in Lebialem Division, are set to benefit from improved access to digital learning resources following a new initiative by diaspora organisations aimed at strengthening Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the school.
The project, spearheaded by the Lebang Cultural and Development Organisation (LECUDO-USA) in partnership with the Lebialem Cultural and Development Association (LECDA), will see the donation of 30 computers to the college as part of efforts to enhance technology-based education in the institution.
Beyond the provision of computers, the initiative also includes plans to connect the school to Starlink satellite internet, enabling students and teachers to benefit from free 24-hour internet connectivity. These donations are expected to start at the end of March this year.
According to the CEO of LECUDO-USA, Ben Fuaminka, the project represents an important step toward bridging the digital gap, where access to computers and reliable internet remains limited. “LECUDO-USA has partnered with LECDA-USA to install at least 30 computers in this lab and Starlink internet,” Fuaminka said.
The donation is intended to strengthen the teaching and learning of ICT at the school and equip students with the essential digital skills required in today’s technology-driven world. Students will also be able to access online educational resources, research materials and digital learning platforms that were previously difficult to reach due to poor internet infrastructure.
School administrators have welcomed the initiative, noting that improved ICT facilities will significantly enhance the learning environment. Ambeno Jean Aristide, Principal of Our Lady Seat of Wisdom College, Fontem, said: “We are in a digitalised world, and we cannot do without computers.”
“At first, there was no working computer on campus, but with the coming of these computers, it has helped the students to improve their skills in IT and computer knowledge. For the form five students who will be sitting for the GCE examinations (we have 14 computer students), it will be a good help to the students.”
Expanding ICT Access
The satellite-based internet service is expected to provide stable and high-speed connectivity, ensuring that both students and teachers can make full use of the computers once installed.
The ICT project will not be limited to one institution. 30 additional computers will be provided to Government Bilingual High School, Fontem, further expanding the reach of the initiative. The dual-school intervention is expected to strengthen digital education in the community and provide hundreds of students with access to modern learning tools.
By targeting both schools, the initiative seeks to support academic development and improve the quality of education available to young people in Fontem and the wider Lebialem Division.
Over the years, LECUDO-USA, LECDA-USA and other organisations have played an important role in mobilising resources to support education, healthcare and community development projects in Lebialem. The ICT initiative is expected to complement ongoing efforts to improve learning conditions and prepare students for the upcoming GCE Examinations and for opportunities in the digital economy.
Once completed, the initiative is expected to transform ICT learning in both schools, allowing students to develop practical computer skills and gain exposure to digital technologies. Such projects are crucial in ensuring that students in rural communities are not left behind as the world increasingly moves toward technology-driven education.
