Laptop at $100 still too costly for poor nations: UN
Wednesday, 24 October 2007
UNITED NATIONS, Oct 24 (PTI): At USD 100, a laptop is still beyond the reach of children in many poor nations, the United Nations has told a renowned computer scientist, who is behind the highly ambitious "One Laptop Per Child" scheme.
"Even if the cost was only USD 100 per child, that is more than most developing countries, especially the least developed countries, can afford," UN Under Secretary-General Cheikh Sidi Diarra said.
"In many LDCs, for example, the amount spent on a child's education in primary school is as low as USD five a year when teachers' salaries are excluded", he said on the display of a USD 100-laptop here.
The "One Laptop Per Child" project, which is the brainchild of Nicholas Negroponte, founder of Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Media Lab, was launched in 2005. Diarra said it was important for Negroponte and his partners to understand any concerns the member-states may have, such as affordability.
"Even if the cost was only USD 100 per child, that is more than most developing countries, especially the least developed countries, can afford," UN Under Secretary-General Cheikh Sidi Diarra said.
"In many LDCs, for example, the amount spent on a child's education in primary school is as low as USD five a year when teachers' salaries are excluded", he said on the display of a USD 100-laptop here.
The "One Laptop Per Child" project, which is the brainchild of Nicholas Negroponte, founder of Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Media Lab, was launched in 2005. Diarra said it was important for Negroponte and his partners to understand any concerns the member-states may have, such as affordability.