A new program at Ben Yakir aims to help disadvantaged students “catch-up” on the computer skills that they have so far not been able to acquire. The program is funded by Cisco through the Spirit of Israel.

The three-year program called Cisco Academic developed by Cisco Systems includes training for teachers, class computer management and familiarizing the students with the Internet environment and on-line skills as well as technical know-how. In addition to “closing the digital gap” the program seeks to stress values of high-tech excellence and use computer skills to raise levels of achievement. At the end of the program graduates are awarded a computer technician's certificate.

Tamuz 5764 - July 2004