The increasing use of computers at practically all
levels, whether personal or professional has
intensified the need to increase computer literacy
amongst developing nations as it couldbe a key to
reducing poverty.
As more and more employers list basic computer
skills, training in this field has gained
momentum.
Workers are trying to update their skills or risk
becoming obsolete in this age of information
technology, as every industry is relying on the
use of computers to decrease costs and increase
efficiency.
The Government's Dilemma:
Governments often fail to address low rates of
computer literacy as mostly departments are
focused on developing the infrastructure on a
macro level versus tackling it in small amounts.
In countries where literacy levels are in single
digits, providing basic computer skills training is
a conundrum in itself as resources have to be
allocated to mutually exclusive projects such as
amongst building schools in an entire province or
building a few schools equipped with computer
labs.
Although seemingly unfair, economists argue that
the latter objective should be pursued, as it will
allow the qualified students to become productive
citizens and contribute to state resources and
form a chain.
Otherwise, children with only basic education
would be marginalized and the state would lose
out on potential taxes.
Solution: As a result, many organizations
including NGO's and the corporate sector are
providing basic computer skills training to the
impoverished people so they are not further
sidelined by those more competitive than them. In
order to break this vicious cycle, Microsoft
initiated such a Corporate Social Responsibility
project in South Africa. As a part of the campus
licensing agreement, Microsoft will provide
training to tertiary students free of cost.
This was received with skepticism amongst
critics, and was called out as a shrewd marketing
strategy, but the company defended itself and
defended that the move was to improve computer
literacy rates in the country.
India, a country where almost 400 million people
live on less than $1 per day, has also seen an
increase in its IT sector. The wealthy
entrepreneurs of this country have resolved to
introduce their poverty stricken country men to
basic computer skills training as a means to
empower them and improve their lifestyles.
Aggregate Benefits:
Thus an increase in investment in this sector by
wealthy residents and expatriates is often a more
successful way of alleviating this problem.
When people acquire basic computer skills
training, it makes them more competent not only
amongst their peers in their local environment,
but also by using the computer and the internet
to gain information and seek better job
opportunities.
A person who has well-developed computer skills
is often able to add more value to his employing
organization and thus increases his self worth.
At a time when resources are scarce and
expensive, all businesses are seeking to reduce
costs, and therefore computerizing their
processes is the best way to increase efficiency.
As more invest is made in computerized
equipment, the demand for computer literate
people will increase, making this a lucrative skill
to possess.

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