Mark Bennett obituary

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/26/mark-bennett-obituary

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My brother Mark Bennett, who has died aged 61 of complications arising from an operation, did much to influence educational methods in Africa, especially through his pioneering use of internet-based technology.

Although a Brit, Mark lived and worked for the best part of 30 years in Zambia, where he died. When he arrived in the country in the mid-1980s to take up a post at the University of Zambia, he quickly became frustrated with the traditional rote-learning models he found there, and tried to push a more interactive, child-centred educational approach.

With this in mind, in 2013, after some years of research and development, he launched iSchool, an educational programme delivered through tablet computers that provides lesson plans for teachers and multimedia learning materials for pupils – using local languages and examples from towns and villages where the children live.

After just one year, more than 80,000 children had benefited from the project, which is being made available on low-cost, energy-efficient tablets. Schools pay for the computers via payment plans and the cost comes to roughly $1 a child a month. Pilot studies have shown that school attendance has gone up since the introduction of iSchool, and that literacy scores have improved in the schools where it is being used. However, the real benefits may only appear in 20 years’ time.

Mark was born in Southampton to a chartered accountant, Kenneth, and a nursery-school teacher, Doreen (nee Griggs). They moved to Loughton, Essex, soon afterwards. After attending Forest school in Snaresbrook, north-east London, Mark went to the University of Reading, where in 1974 he gained one of the first UK degrees in computer science. After graduating, he married Janet, a medical research technician he had met at university, and then worked for almost a decade as a computer systems analyst for Norwich Union insurance company in Norwich.

In 1985 Mark, Janet and their two infant daughters moved from the UK to Zambia, where he became manager of the computer centre at the University of Zambia. While there he founded ZamNet, the first internet service provider (ISP) in the country, and subsequently set up iConnect, which became Zambia’s largest ISP. After selling that company to Vodacom, he used the money to invest in iSchool.

Mark died before his iSchool dream could be fully realised, but all of the pieces are in place and iSchool staff are determined to see it through. Expansion is being discussed, including to other African countries and by putting content onto smartphones.

Mark had the rare quality of believing in every person he dealt with, and of wanting each to unlock their true potential. Many people saw him as their mentor and inspiration. At all times, and despite many setbacks, he maintained his dry sense of humour.

He is survived by Janet, his daughters, Rachel and Catherine, and by myself.