Why Study on the Internet?
In a country fraught with problems of illiteracy and poverty, one might wonder why having the internet is even an important enough issue to discuss. But the truth is that in order to move the country into a better position globally, and to help the newest generation attend school and actually graduate, the internet becomes a tie to the outside world, one which does not necessarily mean another country, but just other areas of Sudan. Residents in rural areas, for example, may know nothing of their country outside of their immediate location. So instead of questioning why the internet is crucial to the Sudanese people, the more important question is "Why study on the internet?".
The primary reason students study on the internet in Sudan is the inaccessibility of universities and schools in some areas. It is not always possible to travel to classes, and thus, many individuals are cheated out of an education. Aside from the remote proximity of campuses, it can be dangerous to travel alone, especially for girls. Plus, it can be expensive for a family that has more than one student to send to school. Education becomes the least of their priorities.
Another reason to study on the internet is simply because it is available. Like the Western world, more and more Sudanese institutes of higher learning are offering web classes, e-learning, and distance education. And what is most interesting about Sudan, is the fact that the degrees and courses provided by universities and colleges are not the only types of online education available. For primary school children who are classified as "out-of-school children", since they are not able to attend physical classes, many organizations and charities have set up virtual schools so that the children can participate right in their own villages. For these educational models to be successful, the internet is a necessity.
Indeed, internet usage statistics in Sudan seem exceptionally low compared to other countries. The World Bank estimates that just over ten percent of the population has internet. But what is significant about the number is that less than ten-thousand people had access to internet five years ago, and now well over four million have internet, demonstrating both the need for the internet, and the country's willingness to study on the internet. Because historically, various obstacles have stood in the way of progress, now, a key educational priority is to bring the country into the technology age.
One of the problems has not only been the inability to place internet lines in the country, but the exorbitant costs, making it impossible for the masses to afford internet service. Typically, internet was distributed by satellite, and generally cost anywhere from two-hundred to five-hundred US dollars per month. Now that the International Finance Corporation (IFC), part of the World Bank Group, is installing cables throughout twenty-one African countries with Sudan being in the first batch, it will be much more affordable, and many more people will have access to the internet. Because access is rising at astronomical rates, it means that the Sudanese people will also have access to online education, and the new infrastructure will make it vital to study on the internet.