To use or not to use second hand and refurbished computers as part of educational technology solutions in African schools, has been a contentious debate among 'schoolnet' practitioners and policymakers from all over Africa. SchoolNet Africa (www.schoolnetafric.net ), an African-led NGO which promotes learning and teaching through the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in African schools, has just released a research report entitled: Treat Refurbs and Africa with Respect.

Towards a Framework on Refurbished Computers for African Schools that investigates the African schooling experience in the use of dumped, second - hand, and refurbished computers. The English version of the executive summary of this report is available at www.schoolnetafrica.net/fileadmin/resources/Refurbished_computers_ExecSum.pdf

The study marks the first examination of experiences with second-hand and refurbished computers among schoolnet organizations in Africa. In many countries in Africa, schoolnets are nationally-based organizations promoting education in schools through ICTs usually in partnership with national governments. Through documentary review, interviews and focus groups discussions with both African schoolnet practioners and others involved in the refurbished computer market, the pipeline of activities in sourcing and distributing the second-hand and refurbished PCs to African schools has been charted.

The rationale for the study is for SchoolNet Africa and its network of schoolnet practitioners to consider the experiences and lessons learned at local level as a contribution to the debate on whether or not, and how, to consider second- hand or refurbished computers in technology solution models for African schools. The study notes that some practitioners have argued that the total cost of ownership of a refurbished PC could be higher than that of a new PC owing to its additional maintenance costs and shorter lifespan. It also indicates however that that nobody in Africa has yet imported or used refurbished PCs at a scale large enough to bridge the gap in terms of numbers of PCs required.

The study also attempts a comparative total cost of ownership model for new vs refurbished PCs, and notes that, until it can be proven beyond doubt that the total cost of ownership of a new PC is less than that of a refurbished PC, most schoolnets will remain committed to using second-hand and refurbished PCs in schools, while continuing to work out how to make them more effective. It concludes that integrated strategy and effective management systems are required to ensure that future projects to source and use second-hand and refurbished PCs for education purposes in African schools are more consistent, scaleable, and effective, and notes that agencies like SchoolNet Africa needs to play a leading role in this regard.

SchoolNet Africa will use the research findings to kickstart its Campaign for 1 Million PCs for African Schools which includes an intensive capacity building programme involving technical co-ordinators and prospective PC refurbishment centre managers from 20 African countries commencing 3 May 2020 and supporting the establishment of PC refurbishment centres in a number of African countries such as Mozambique, Zambia, Malawi, Kenya, Senegal and Nigeria.

For more information contact Shafika Isaacs at [email protected] or Cassie Janisch at [email protected]