In December, 2005, during the 11th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, the Honorable Malaysian Prime Minister's made an announcement that "Malaysia will provide an additional grant of up to USD500,000 for the period 2006-2008 to support the Smart School Projects for the Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam (CLMV), which will provide these countries with ICT facilities and a human resource development programme package".
Building on the ASEAN Summit decision, the programme of extending assistance in developing competencies in the global knowledge-based economy for CLMV countries is an initiative of the government through the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) Malaysian Technical Cooperation Programme (MTCP). The implementation of this MTCP programme, which activities focus on the Smart School Project, has been carried out by the Mulitmedia Development Corporation (MDeC). This initiative is also in line with the "Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI)" instituted at the fourth unofficial ASEAN Summit in Singapore in 2000.
The first phase of the Smart School Project was implemented between 2002 - 2003 covering 3 schools Myanmar and 2 schools Lao PDR. The computer labs were equipped with 21 PCs and other computer peripherals.
There were 21 teachers trained in Malaysia during the implementation period. The training exposed teachers to a workshop approach on how to effectively use ICT in teaching methods depending on the subject, specialised topics, year group and level of students and teachers' competencies. In addition, the training enabled teachers to produce lesson plans that effectively incorporated technology-enhanced teaching and learning materials and activities, and plan the management of the classroom environment to maximize the potential of their ICT enriched lessons.
Phase 2 of this project from 2006 to 2008 will include expansion and enhancement of the project in Myanmar and Lao PDR and introduction of the Smart School project to Cambodia and Vietnam. Much of the approach will adopt the implementation features of the Phase 1 with necessary modifications from lessons learnt and relevant requirements of the respective countries.
The Smart School project of the technical cooperation is aimed for the following objectives:
- To develop nation building in line with the E - Asean initiative.
- To promote the selected schools as experimental test beds making the educational transition from a traditional model to the smart school model in tandem with the knowledge based economy.
- To promote the selected schools as a community center for the diffusion of ICT to neighboring communities and as a model for the recipient country's educational enhancement.
- To provide a platform for the establishment of global linkages at the school level via the use of ICT and multimedia tools.
A fact finding mission to Vietnam and Cambodia was conducted by MDeC in April 2006. The mission's broad objectives were:
- To initiate the Phase 2 of the Smart School project in Vietnam and the Kingdom of Cambodia through a G-to-G arrangement.
- To identify schools for the implementation of the Smart School project.
- To evaluate the costing for implementation for both countries.
- To gain support from the Government of Vietnam and the Kingdom of Cambodia.
Respective authorities from Vietnam and Cambodia were met:-
Vietnam
- Deputy Director General, Ministry of Education and Training (MoET)
- Department of International Cooperation, Ministry of Post and Telematics
- Director of ASEAN Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Cambodia
- Under Secretary of State, Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport
The authorities were briefed about the proposed Phase 2 of the Smart School project. Five potential schools for the project were visited; three in Vietnam and two in Cambodia. A report was submitted to EPU on the fact finding mission and outcomes of the visit.
Following the recommendations made by the Technical Committee during the meeting which was held in 5th October, 2006, a technical assessment visit to Vietnam was conducted by MDeC in December, 2006. The visit objectives were:-
- To assess the current ICT infrastructure of the two schools recommended by the committee
- To identify the components for upgrading (if necessary)
- To submit revised budget for the two schools.
A report on MDeC's recommendations has been put forward to EPU for consideration.
An agreement between EPU and MDeC for the Smart School Project will be formalized in Q1, 2007. The project is targeted to be completed in July, 2008.
