GreenDice Extends a Helping Hand to Local Governments and Enhances Schools’ Digital Capabilities
GreenDice has taken steps towards expansion to offer support to local governments and their sub-organizations. For nearly three years, we have been extending the lifespan of high-quality IT equipment from companies through a community service, offering individuals the opportunity to use these devices with full warranty and technical support.
“GreenDice was born out of a desire to create a service for individuals that would allow them to enjoy the same privileges as company employees—quality technology and IT support. People are increasingly being guided into the digital world, but those who are not familiar with technology struggle to choose the right tools. The situation is especially disheartening when there is no trusted person to help or provide unbiased advice,” explained GreenDice’s CEO Argo Alaniit.
Local Governments Face the Same Issues as Individuals
In Estonia, several local governments face similar problems as individuals—they lack technical support staff and tend to fall behind in digital development. Therefore, we have broadened our service and started collaborating with several local governments.
In May 2021, we completed our first collaboration project in Tõrva Parish, where we replaced the computers and monitors in three schools—Ala Primary School, Riidaja Primary School, and Ritsu Kindergarten-Primary School. A year later, we contributed to refreshing the computer labs at Hummuli Primary School and open youth centers. This spring, we conducted a digital learning course for the elderly in Tõrva Parish, which received highly positive feedback from participants. We now have a broader plan to support the parish’s educational institutions with both equipment and support services.
“GreenDice is doing truly commendable work! Their diligent team has made a significant contribution to improving the digital skills of our elderly. The ongoing enhancement of digital solutions in Tõrva Parish schools is a big step towards creating a modern learning environment for us,” said Tõrva Parish Mayor Helen Elias, who herself uses a laptop with support from GreenDice. “Quality tools motivate our teachers, but what I particularly like about this initiative is the involvement of students, who gain valuable experience in providing IT support!”
Both Teachers and Students Benefit from Digital Learning
“In most schools, there are computers available in classrooms and teachers’ lounges, but local governments lack the resources to provide every teacher with a personal work computer. At GreenDice, we believe that today, it is essential that quality IT tools and everything that goes with them should be accessible,” said Alaniit.
Tõrva has two schools, with the largest, Tõrva Gymnasium, serving around 500 students. Tõrva School has branches in Hummuli, Riidaja, and Ala. GreenDice is connecting all these schools to Microsoft’s cloud server to create synergy. In addition to cloud systems, we are also training local IT leaders from upper-grade students who will assist teachers with technical issues as needed. These IT leaders are part of the GreenDice community and receive guidance from our technicians to solve problems.
“Constant IT development in Tõrva Parish schools is extremely important for the school communities. Modern devices and updated environments make teachers’ work more efficient and help save time and resources,” added Maarja Kallis, head of Tõrva Gymnasium and Tõrva School. The school principal highlights that the use of various digital materials helps capture students’ attention, allows for faster and more efficient work assessment and feedback, and aids in planning their work. “In addition, a good IT infrastructure facilitates collaboration among all parties—teachers, students, parents, and partners. Developing students’ digital literacy is increasingly important in our daily lives and very necessary for both education and entering the workforce in the future. What has been done in schools over the years now gets substantial support from GreenDice in terms of training teachers, modernizing digital infrastructure, and finding innovative solutions, creating conditions for the successful daily functioning of schoolwork.”
In addition to Tõrva Parish, GreenDice plans to offer similar support services to the Häädemeeste and Järva Parishes.
As you can see, the GreenDice team has taken on significant challenges 😊. But we couldn’t do it without the need and the supportive parish and school leaders. Our thanks go to you, Tõrva Parish Government, led by Mayor Helen Elias, and the heads of Tõrva Gymnasium and Tõrva School, Maarja Kallis. Providing quality education is important to you, and we are happy to contribute to it!
