Students Donate Computers To Schools In Laos

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1. Students at ten primary schools in Laos can now look forward to using computers to learn English. This is thanks to the contribution of 85 desktop computers and 15 laptops by Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP) to the Quality School Project in the ten primary schools. During his visit to Nongbuathong Tai primary school on 12 March 2007, Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Minister for Education and Second Minister for Finance, handed over the desktops and laptops to Prof Dr Somkot Mangnomek, Laos Minister of Education. With the computers, the schools can now make English-learning a more interesting and fun experience for the students. Among the many possibilities will be the use of interactive game-based learning.

2. Mr Shanmugaratnam said, “I am happy that students from Ngee Ann Polytechnic worked together to contribute to the Quality School Project in Vientiane, Laos. The computers will open up many possibilities for the children, and make a difference in their learning. Through these projects too, our students are connected to communities in the region outside Singapore and will be able to understand and respond to their needs.”

3. This donation of computers and desktops to Laos is one of the many community service projects in Laos by NP. Previously, from Nov 2004 to Oct 2006, students and staff from NP’s Building and Environment Division helped to build and retrofit a library and community centre in Phou Din Daeng village, Vang Viang. NP will also be working with Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts, the Institute of Technical Education, the National University of Singapore and the Singapore Buddhist Youth Society to build a library in Vientiane, which is targeted to open in June 2007.

4. Other schools have been carrying out community projects in Laos. During his visit, Mr Shanmugaratnam also visited the National Rehabilitation Centre (NRC) where he met 16 students and two teachers from Bartley Secondary School's National Police Cadet Corps who were in Vientiane for a six-day volunteer mission to refurbish part of the NRC’s hospital unit.

5. During his visit from 11-12 March 2007, Mr Shanmugaratnam called on the Laos Prime Minister Mr Bouasone Bouphavanh, Luang Prabang Governor Mr Bounheuang Douangphachanh, Education Minister Prof Dr Somkot Magnomek, and Finance Minister Mr Chansy Phosikham. Mr Shanmugaratnam also visited the National University of Laos, Souphanouvong University, Vientiane High School and Nongbuathong Tai Primary School.

6. Mr Shanmugaratnam was accompanied by senior officials from the Ministry of Education on this trip.