With the support and collaboration of the World Links for Development Program (WorLD), ITG is developing a Guide to ICT Planning in Education, an assessment tool that will benchmark the progress that national Ministries of Education, education decision-makers, and communities in the developing world have made toward integrating information and communication technologies (ICT) into their education systems. It will also serve as a tool in the planning process for decisions related to ICTs and education.

Upon examination of best practices in some of the most effective educational systems around the globe, effective use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in both the classroom and in teacher's professional development appears to be an essential part of a good educational system. It is with this conviction that WorLD and ITG have identified the need for this assessment tool.

This guide would be a useful tool for many organizations - whether they be Ministries of Education, community leaders, NGOs or donor agencies - interested in preparing youth around the globe to effectively participate in the Networked World. While there are studies that draw into question the overall effectiveness of the use of technology in education, there are equally compelling cases to be made supporting its effectiveness.

The tool will be used to:

• Assist policymakers and education decision-makers in understanding the importance of the role of ICT at all stages of education (primary through tertiary) by outlining best practices from around the globe; 
• Assist policymakers and school officials in planning for the effective incorporation of teachers (through ongoing professional development) in programs that integrate ICT into the classrooms; 
• Assist policymakers, school officials and communities in analyzing the scope of issues that need to be addressed in order to develop a successful ICT in education program; 
• Assist national Ministries of Education in identifying the gaps that exist in their system for national deployment of ICTs;
• Assist policymakers, school officials and community decision-makers in benchmarking their systems across a number of categories to reflect their readiness for developing an ICT and education program; and
• Allow decision-makers to compare their education systems to other systems of similar size across the various categories, keeping in mind issues that include financial requirements, managerial issues, and administration.

ITG and WorLD are currently looking for further collaborators and sponsors of this ambitious project. Interested parties are encouraged to contact us.