Watch out for those holes in the wall
22 November 2007
As Ugandan primary schoolchildren dressed in pink danced and sang a message of thanks to Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon a little bit of African history was made.
It was the birth of the first Hole in the Wall learning station in the continent.
Just down the muddy, deeply rutted road outside the Kiswa community centre stands a tiny building where sets of computers are installed in a secure place so that groups of children can learn on their own without any direct information or tutoring from teachers.
The idea was born in India where millions of children of disadvantaged communities are suffering from what has become known as the Digital Divide that has developed as a result of the rapid technological advances made in recent years.
The divide is affecting communities in both urban and rural areas. Now, thanks to the Hole in the Wall, they can begin to access many facilities - even the internet.
At the last CHOGM in Malta 2005 Commonwealth leaders made a declaration of intent to break the divide. India, which has made such huge strides in technological advancement in recent years, joined hands with Malta to provide considerable funding to tackle the problem.
Uganda is the first Commonwealth country to benefit from the Indian experience and open a Hole. Three other Holes are being set up in the country’s three geographical regions – northern, eastern and western.
For McKinnon this project marks one of many Commonwealth initiatives he has encouraged over his eight years as Secretary-General aimed at winning over the new generation to the Commonwealth.
The children dancing before him at Kiswa sang their thanks but they also registered a complaint. Anena Miriam, appearing to be no older than nine, sang to “register our slight disappointment as children, not having been adequately involved in the activities of CHOGM 2007. “
They continued: “We therefore pray that in future, a Children’s Forum similar to the Youth Forum, will be available to us so that, we as children can also have our voice heard.”*
The next Secretary-General, due to be elected here at the weekend, will need to watch out for the wrath of the small pupils of Kisma Primary School.
The Hole in the Wall project encapsulates the essence of the Commonwealth and the way it is developing. India is playing an increasingly important role in the Commonwealth as it moves towards becoming a major world player.
In teaming up with one of its small but now well developed members, Malta, it is helping to crack a divide that threatens to become a serious obstacle to social development in many countries inside and outside the Commonwealth.
In the coming years children should watch for holes to appear in the walls of many Commonwealth countries.
22/11/07
The views and comments in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the Commonwealth Secretariat.
*Children were involved in CHOGM preparations as part of the Youth Forum. They presented a note to Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General Florence Mugasha urging the introduction of a fully-fledged Children's Forum. CHOGM events already include Business, People's and Youth forums.
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