The usage of ICT for secondary education in Mongolia

Abstract

Mongolia is located in the Northern Asia, bordering with China and Russia (landlocked). Mongolia has a territory of 1,564,116 sq km. The population is 2,791,272 (July 2005 est.), the literacy rate is 97.8% (World Fact book, 2005). The education system consists of pre-school education (kindergarten), general education (primary school 1-5, secondary school 1-9, complete secondary school 10-11), and professional education (universities). Primary and secondary education is free to all by law. In 2004-2005 academic years, 557346 students were reported to be studying at 710 general education schools nationwide. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) were introduced to the Mongolian education sector relatively late. The computer training and informatics as a subject has been included in the secondary school curriculum in Mongolia since 1988 and in the university curriculum since 1982. This paper presents current situation of usage of ICT in secondary education in Mongolia, including national policies, strategies and programs, hardware and software, teaching staffs, informatics curriculum and related projects and initiatives. SWOT (Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, and Threat) analysis and conclusions are also presented. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]