UNESCO
ADDENDUM 1
Electronic Connectedness in Pacific Islands Countries
A survey on the use of computers, e-mail and the Internet in
education, culture and communication
May 1999
Report Prepared by:
Zwimpfer Communications Limited
Wellington
New Zealand
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1. Scope
This Addendum includes data received since publication of the original survey
report in April 1999. Specifically this includes:
1. an education profile for the Cook Islands;
2. a new chapter to report information from the journalism and media training
organisations separate to that from other media organisations.
2. Cook Islands
2.1 Education Profile
The Cook Islands has a total population of 16,800. Some 29% (4,880) are
students (at a primary, secondary or tertiary education institution). There are 34
education institutions. Details are summarised below.
Table A2-1: Education Profile – Cook Islands
Level/Grade Primary Junior Senior Vocational Tertiary Other Education/
Secondary High /Technical Training
Organisations
Number of schools/
education 20 6 8 2 2
institutions
Number of students 2535 769 1576
Number of staff
(teachers and 131 50 115
administrators)
The post-secondary Institutions are listed below:
Table A2-2: Post Secondary Institutions
Name of Institution Number of Students
Cook Islands Teachers’ College 12
Cook Islands School of Nursing 12
Hospitality & Tourism Centre 400
USP Extension Centre 221
2.2 Access to Computer and Communication Technologies
The education institutions listed below have access to a telephone line; available
computer equipment is individually identified.
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Table A2-3: Access to ICT by Education Institutions
(computers, telephones and fax)
Name of Institution Type of Institution Other
Level Status Equipment/
P = Primary S = State Services Available
JS = Junior Secondary C = Church (Note: all have
SH = Senior High OP = Other
access to a telephone
VT = Private
Vocational/Technical O = Other line)
T = Tertiary
O = Other
Education/Training
organisations
Arorangi High School JS S Computers
Avarua Primary P S Computers, TV, CD-
ROM, radio, fax, VCR
Avatea Primary P S Computers, TV, CD-
ROM, radio, fax, VCR,
colour printers
Nikao Primary P S Radio, VCR
Nukutere College SH C Computers, CD-ROM,
fax, VCR, colour
printers, Internet email
Rutaki Primary P S
Takitumu Primary P S
Te-Uki-Ou Primary P OP Computers, CD-ROM,
scanners, fax, colour
printers
Tereora College SH S Computers, CD-ROM,
scanners, fax, colour
printers
Titikaveka College SH S Computers, CD-ROM,
fax, colour printers,
Internet email, VCR
Aitutaki SDA Primary P C TV, radio, fax, VCR
Amuri Primary P S Computers, TV
Araura Primary P S
Araura College SH S Computers, TV, CD-
ROM, radio, fax, VCR,
colour printers, Internet
email
Vaitau Primary P S
Atiu College SH S Computers, TV, CD-
ROM, radio, fax, VCR,
colour printers, video
cameras
Mangaia College SH S Computers, Radio, CD-
ROM, colour printers,
VCR
Oneroa Primary P S
Tamarua Primary P S
Mauke School SH S Computers, CD-ROM,
radio, VCR
Papaaroa College SH C Computers
St Josephs P C
Virua Primary P S
St Mary’s Primary P C
Tauhunu High School JS S
Tukao Primary P S
Omoka School JS S
Tetautua Primary P S
Mitiaro High School JS S
Pukapuka High School JS S
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2.3 Computers in Education Institutions
Schools and other education institutions known to have computer equipment are
listed below:
Table A2-4: Computers in Education Institutions
Name of School Number of Number of Number of What year were
Students computers computers that computers first
available for are not in use installed at this
students because they school?
are broken
Primary Schools
Avatea Primary 389 1 5 1996
Te-Uki-Ou Primary 91 3 1 1996
Junior Secondary Schools
Not applicable
Senior High Schools
Nukutere College 152 15 1 1995
Tereora College 400 30 10 1986
Titikaveka College 174 10 2 1992
Araura College 261 9 2 1996
Atiu College 210 1 2 1996
Mangaia College 122 9 3 1995
2.4 Computer Applications
Examples of how computers are being used by students are summarised below:
Table A2-5: Use of Computers by Students
School/Education Institution Example(s) of applications for computers
Primary schools MSWord, Wordperfect, MSPublisher, Creative Writer,
Fine Artist, Reference CD-ROMs (Windows 95 and 3.1)
Senior High Schools MSWord, MSExcel, MSPublisher, MSWorks, Priat,
Artist, Framework IV, Wordperfect, MSAccess
Vocational & Technical Institutions Not known
Tertiary Education Institutions Not known
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2.5 Internet Access
Schools and education institutions with access to the Internet (e-mail and/or
World Wide Web) are listed below:
Table A2-6: Internet Access by Education Institutions
Name of School/ Number of % of students Examples of the use of the
Education Institution computers who have Internet in learning and
connected to used the teaching
the Internet Internet
Nukutere College 1 0%
Tereora College 1 0%
Titikaveka College 1 0%
Araura College 1 0%
2.6 Teacher Skills
Countries were asked to provide information on the percentage of teachers who
are confident in the use of a range of technologies. The total number of staff in
educational institutions in the Cook Islands is 296 (including both teaching and
administrative staff).
Table A2-7: Teacher Computer Skills
Level/Grade Primary Junior Senior Vocational Tertiary Other Education/
Secondary High /Technical Training
Organisations
Total number of
teachers & 131 50 115
administrators
Number of teachers
who can use 18 3 72
computers
Number of teachers
who can train others 7 0 26
to use computers
Number of teachers
who are using 3 0 5
computers/Internet in
the classroom
Number of teachers
who have received
training in computers 0 2 1
and/or the Internet
during the last 12
months
No specific computer or internet training is provided for pre-service teachers
(teachers-in-training), and there are no official or documented plans to introduce
any programmes during the next 12 months.
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A close estimate of the skill levels of existing teachers in terms of a range of
information and communications technologies is summarised below:
Table A2-8: Teacher Confidence with ICT
Technology % teachers who are
confident users
Facsimile……………………...… 30%
Audioconferencing…………….. 13%
Videoconferencing…………… 7%
Computers with CD-ROM…… 26%
Word processing……………….. 28%
Spreadsheets………………… 20%
Presentation software…………. 5%
Database tools…………………. 4%
Scanning & digital imaging……. 4%
Video production……………….. 7%
Internet email, incl. attached
files……………………………… 6%
Internet world wide web………. 3%
Library catalogues…………….. 4%
Online search engines……….. 2%
2.7 Technical Support
Countries were asked to consider the level of technical support available to
education institutions for installing and maintaining computer and communication
equipment and services. The results are summarised below. Reasons given as
to why there is not more technical support included:
No centralised service available through education authorities
No local service enterprises
Costs too expensive
Table A2-9: Technical Support Available to Education Institutions
Education Institution Institutions with
adequate technical
support
Primary schools.…………………. Only a few
Junior Secondary schools………. Only a few
Senior High schools…………… Only a few
Vocational/Technical Institutions. N/A
Tertiary institutions….……….… N/A
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2.8 Planning
Countries were asked to state the percentage of education institutions with 3-5
year Information Technology Plans. The Cook Islands does not have any plans
for the deployment and integration of information and communication
technologies into schools and other education institutions at the national level.
Table A2-10: Education Institutions with a 3-5 Year IT Plan
Education Institution Institutions with a 3-5
year IT Plan
Primary schools……………………. None
Junior Secondary schools………… None
Senior High schools………… None
Vocational/Technical Institutions.… N/A
Tertiary Institutions….……………… N/A
2.9 Development Plans
The Ministry of Education is currently doing a feasibility study with the assistance
of ADB consultants into distance education possibilities. The results of this
consultancy should be available late 1999. The Ministry of Education is also
establishing a Technology Centre and investigating ways to upskill teachers in
the use of computers. Email links are being established between the Ministry of
Education and some schools that have the technology capability.
2.10 Barriers
The following factors were identified as constraints affecting the introduction of
computer and Internet technologies to schools and other education institutions.
Respondents were asked to rank each constraint on a five point scale,
depending on how the significant the barrier is in their country (1=not a barrier at
all; 5= major barrier).
Table A2-11: Constraints Affecting Introduction of ICT in Education Institutions
Possible constraints Significance of
each constraint
cost of equipment…………………………. Definitely a barrier
availability of technical support………….. Definitely a barrier
reliable power supply……………….…….. Neutral
access to telephone network………….…. Only a slight barrier
internet access services………..….…….. Definitely a barrier
teacher knowledge of equipment……….. Definitely a barrier
teacher understanding regarding the value of use…. Definitely a barrier
availability of online resource material…………… Definitely a barrier
cost of telecommunications within country………… Definitely a barrier
cost of international telecommunications………….. Definitely a barrier
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3. Journalism and Media Training
3.1 Profile
Responses were received from four Journalism and Media Training
Organisations.
Table A3-1: Journalism & Media Training Organisations
Journalism and Media Training Number of Country
Organisation Employees
PINA Pacific Journalism Development Centre 3 Fiji
USP Journalism Programme 3 Fiji
Fiji Journalism Institute 4 (part-time) Fiji
Divine Word University 10 Papua New Guinea
3.2 Usage of Telecommunications
The usage of telecommunication services by these journalism and media training
organisations is summarised below:
Table A3-2: Journalism and Media Training Organisations use of
Telecommunications
( more than once a day once a day once a week once a month)
Organisation Telephones Fax Internet PACTOK WWW Audio-
email email conference
PINA Pacific
Journalism
Development Centre
USP Journalism
Programme
Fiji Journalism
Institute
Divine Word University
Table A3-2 (continued)
( more than once a day once a day once a week once a month)
Organisation Video- Vsat Peacesat Low speed High speed LEO
Conference data data
PINA Pacific
Journalism
Development Centre
USP Journalism
Programme
Fiji Journalism
Institute
Divine Word University
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3.3 Usage of Equipment
The use of computers and related peripheral equipment by the four journalism
and media training organisations is summarised below:
Table A3-3: Journalism and Media Training Organisations use of Equipment
( more than once a day once a day once a week once a month)
Organisation Computer CD- Scanner Colour VCR Video Digital CD
ROM Printer Camera Camera Writer
PINA Pacific
Journalism
Development Centre
USP Journalism
Programme
Fiji Journalism
Institute
Divine Word University
3.4 Computers
The number of computers available in each of the organisations was reported as
follows:
Table A3-4: Journalism and Media Training Organisations - Computers
Organisation Computers for Computers for Computers Computers Unusable
student use Administrative connected to over 3 years computers
use the Internet old (broken)
PINA Pacific 3 3 3 0 0
Journalism
Development Centre
USP Journalism 12 2 7 4 3
Programme
Fiji Journalism 0 1 6 0 0
Institute
Divine Word University 7 1 1 0 0
3.5 Internet
Almost 60% of all computers in journalism and media training organisations are
connected to the Internet. Email and web addresses, where applicable, are
listed below.
Table A3-5: Journalism and Media Training Organisations - Email Addresses
Country Organisation email
Fiji PINA Pacific Journalism pina@is.com.fj
Development Centre
Fiji USP Journalism Programme robie_d@usp.ac.fj
Fiji Fiji Journalism Institute
Papua New Guinea Divine Word University crankit@datec.com.pg
Table A3-6: Journalism and Media Training Organisations Web Home Pages
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Country Organisation Web Home Page
Fiji PINA Pacific Journalism Note 1
Development Centre
Fiji USP Journalism Programme http://www.usp.ac.fj/journ/
Fiji Fiji Journalism Institute
Papua New Guinea Divine Word University
Note 1: PINA PJDC material published through PFA website: www.pressasia.org/PFA/
3.6 Applications
Specific applications of communications networks identified by journalism and
media training organisations include:
Table A3-7: Journalism and Media Training Organisations Applications
Organisation Applications
PINA Pacific Journalism Pina Nius Online, Bulletin du Pacifique, International
Development Centre Freedom of Expression (IFEX) network, Asia-Pacific
Network of Press Foundations, various applications for
specific training needs
USP Journalism Programme Pasifik Nius/Pacific Media Watch (regional media website,
established in 1996)
University of PNG Journalism Programme
Pacific Journalism Online (major regional media resource
site, including news, ethics and media law resources, as
well as the newspaper Wansolwara Online, Radio Pasifik
and hotlinks to regional media websites and email
addresses. Also includes student journalism projects.
JEANET/Pasifik
Fiji Journalism Institute
Divine Word University
3.7 Staff usage of Internet
Staff in the Fiji-based journalism and media training organisations are regular
users of the Internet. All three organisations indicated that all or most of their
staff regularly use email and the world wide web in their work. The Divine Word
Institute is planning to provide Internet access for all staff as well as set up a
home page on the web.
Examples of Internet services used include: Centre for Asian and Pacific Media
Studies; Listserves for members, International Freedom of Expression Exchange
(IFEX), Pacific Media Watch, Pasifik Nius, Pacific Islands Report, Asia-Pacific
Network/Café Pacific, JEANet, Penang Forum, Foreign Correspondent,
International Newspapers (LA Times), International TV News (BBC, CNN).
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3.8 Staff training
Only two staff in one of the four organisations indicated that their staff had
participated in any ICT training during the last 12 months. 11 staff in two other
organisations are receiving on-the-job training.
3.9 Barriers
Respondents were asked to comment on a number of factors that could be
constraining the use of information and communication technologies. For each
factor, they were asked to assess (on a scale of 1 – 5) the extent to which they
felt it was a barrier. The results are summarised below:
Table A3-8: Barriers – Journalism & Media Training Organisations
Barriers Number of
Organisations
ranking 4 or 5*
Cost of telecommunications within country 4
Cost of international telecommunications 4
Cost of equipment 4
Availability of technical support 2
Internet access infrastructure 2
Staff knowledge of equipment 1
Staff understanding regarding the value of use 1
Access to telephone network 1
Availability of online resource material 1
(*4 = agree; 5 = strongly agree that factor is a barrier)
3.10 Development plans
Journalism and Media Training organisations were asked to comment on any
development plans that their organisation had to use information and
communication technologies during the next two years. The comments received
included:
“hope to install dedicated fax facilities within the department”
Papua New Guinea
“computers and Internet services will continue to be an integral part of the ongoing
training programmes for working journalists and students of the journalism
certificate course”
Fiji
“Journalism development centre is training trainers in Internet publishing, Internet
use, computer assisted reporting etc.”
Regional
“Online teaching of courses established in 1998 and now developing a postgraduate
programme incorporating Internet delivery and courses”
Fiji
“hope to install Internet access for staff and students; would like to establish an
Internet home page”
Papua New Guinea
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4. Acknowledgements
My thanks to the following people, who in addition to those named in the original
report provided information for this survey. The information from the education
and the media training/journalism returns has been included in this Addendum.
The additional information from the culture and other media organisations has
been added to the database to assist with any future survey work.
Education
Person Organisation Country
Ministry of Education Cook Islands
Culture
Person Organisation Country
K Vusoniwailala Fiji Museum Fiji
A.T. Vaea His Majesty The King’s Department Tonga
Media
Person Organisation Country
David Robie USP Journalism Programme Fiji
Peter Wilson Fiji Television Fiji