The role of information and communication technologies (ICT) in improving education throughout Africa has been in the spotlight over recent days at the e-Learning Africa Conference. An annual event, the gathering was held in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi this year (May 28-30), bringing together participants from across the globe. E-learning -- electronic learning -- is proving useful in parts of the continent where there is a shortage of qualified teachers. A case in point is Ethiopia. Just over half the teachers in this East African country are unqualified, prompting authorities to embark on e-learning in 2003, notes Demissew Bekele -- head of ICT in the Ministry of Education. Ethiopia has since invested in almost 16,700 monitors to screen lessons on various subjects to teachers who need assistance with giving instruction, and also to students. The monitors have been distributed to all 775 secondary schools; a similar initiative is expected for primary schools.

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