CHILDREN in Rwanda are to receive dozens of iPads and permanent wifi connection thanks to the generosity and industry of a small Scottish school.
Cedars School of Excellence, in Greenock, Inverclyde, has decided to send 30 iPad 1s to African schools.
In June a party from the independent Christian school, including nine pupils, will head out to Rwamagana, east Rwanda, for a two-week trip to deliver the iPads and help build the necessary infrastructure.
Andrew Jewell, the 37-year-old teacher leading the project, said: "We'll be taking the schools from nothing right up to the internet. We'll be wiring them up for wifi, supplying the iPads.
"We'll also be training the teachers and children how to use the devices.
"We want to create something that will have a lasting effect on other people's lives who are maybe less fortunate than us."
Cedars made headlines in 2010 when it kitted out all 115 pupils with their very own iPad.
Their approach attracted a host of visitors from Japan, Denmark, America and Russia keen to do likewise.
With a new set of iPads about to be bought in, art teacher Jenny Oakley came up with the idea of sending the old tablets to Africa.
The school is now in the process of raising £17,000 to fund the trip and has enlisted the help of Glasgow charity Aid for Education.
Sarah Kukooza, who runs the charity with husband Douglas, believes the technology will really make a difference to the two schools, Nsinda and Kabare.
She said: "You have got huge classes.
"On average you get about 50 or 60 kids in the classes so the quality of education struggles. In the primary schools lots of teachers are under-qualified.
"The iPads will have a huge impact. I am a teacher myself so I know how important things like active learning are.
"The teachers themselves in Rwanda are keen to learn and keen to be given the resources and opportunities to try new things. This will change the children's education in the long term."
At Cedars the use of iPads has been credited with boosting student engagement in work and allowing teachers to cater to a number of different academic abilities at the same time.
Kerr McAdam, 16, is head boy at the school and will be heading out to Rwanda.
He said: "I have been very privileged to have the iPad to use, it has really benefited my education. For example, this is the first year that I have been taking art. I never thought I would be any good at it, but the iPad has given me confidence.
"I'm really excited by the trip, it will be brilliant and a great opportunity. I hope the iPads will benefit the school children."
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