The UAP programs were announced during 2014 as part of an initiative between Telecommunications Radiocommunications and Broadcasting Regulator (TRBR), OGCIO, Ministry of Education and Training and the Australian Government under its Governance for Growth (GfG) program. The programs developed were:
• Computer Laboratories and Internet Community Centre (CLICC)
• Tablets for Students (TFS)
• Internet Community Services (ICS)
The CLICC centres are a significant part of the UAP program with 15 schools, being provided with computer labs, for general educational purposes and for use by the community during or after school hours.
On the 27th of November 2015, the Government of Vanuatu officially launched the CLICC program with an opening of the CLICC infrastructure at Sarakata Centre School, Luganville, Espiritu Santo. The launch was presided over by the Honorable Daniel Toara, the Minister responsible for Education and Training and was attended by representatives from the Ministry of Education and Training, Office of the Government Chief Information Officer, Australian High Commission and TRBR. The first CLICC site to be implemented was Eles Centre School, Nguna Island, Efate. The school went live in late October, with a formal opening held on the 24th of November 2015 attended by representatives from the Ministry of Education and Training, Office of the Government Chief Information Officer, Australian High Commission and TRBR. Since the opening and access by students, the feedback has been exceptionally positive, with a desire of the students to use the technology. Current programs being worked on include learning to touch type, using an application on the installed gateway server.
TRBR has provided three (3) grants to commercial operators to establish an Information and Communication Centre (ICS) in the local community. It was with pleasure that the TRBR were able to attend the official opening of the Ituani Informesen & Communikesen Senta in Arunamalai Village on Malo Island on Monday 30th November 2015, the first ICS to open and commence operations.
The Tablets for Students (TFS) program is gradually being rolled out to the selected schools. Currently TFS infrastructure has been implemented in Lycee LAB, Epi High School and Ambaebulu School. The remainder of the TFS infrastructure will be rolled out prior to the commencement of the school year 2016.
