November 2000

Mediterranean Countries Synthesis of Update Memos

Introduction

In the Mediterranean countries, the main entities that realise web sites are National Ministries. For example, all Ministries have a web site in Cyprus, Morocco and Jordan. Percentages are also very high in Tunisia, Turkey and Israel. We can note high schools and universities have also created a large number of web sites. Web sites are less developed in other sectors, especially for primary and secondary schools where the highest rate is 17% for Israel.

Web characteristics by country

Algeria : The number of web sites remains quite the same as it was in the previous period. The primary and secondary schools have still a very low number of sites (only 2 sites for the whole schools). It has to be noted a large rise in the number of web sites concerning regional and local authorities (+78%) and a less important but also significant increase for national ministries (+23%).

Cyprus : Nothing really changed over the last 3 months excepted the overall number of web sites for regional and local authorities (2 more web sites). We can remind that national ministries field is still largely ahead in terms of penetration with a 100% rate, far from high schools and universities which compose the 2^nd field in terms of web sites. Regional and local authorities and Primary and Secondary schools remain both fields using the most web sites with respectively 29% and 24% of web sites units in Cyprus.

Egypt : The majority of the web sites belong to libraries or museums (41%) and to regional authorities (39%). Other owners are Universities and Ministries. No change occurred in terms of new web sites.

Israel : Data are not available because not sent yet so far.

Jordan : Only 2 more web sites appeared for Primary and secondary schools over the last period. High schools and universities and National ministries are still the most represented fields in terms of web sites with respectively 36 and 32% of web sites units.

Lebanon : 5 new web sites are listed for Primary and secondary schools, which is the largest attribution in units and make this field remain far ahead in terms of units with a 48% proportion of the whole institutional web sites. Note that Museums, High schools and universities and National ministries are respectively the first fields in terms of penetration rates with respectively 66, 65 and 60% (3% for Primary and secondary schools). Program are on progress to promote the use of internet, by providing assistance with the development of internet, training teachers and by subsidising PC for public schools.

Malta : The National ministries field with 3 new web sites represent the largest contributor and become leader in terms of penetration rates (35.7%). Regional and local authorities with 14 web sites remain leader in terms of units. Note that the project for the introduction of internet access in public schools has not been launched yet despite public announcements made in April 2000. However reports in the local media say that the pilot project should be launched in October with the new scholastic year. 30 public schools at primary and secondary level have been chosen to participate in the pilot. Another 50 will be connected by the end of 2001.

Morocco : This quarter showed an outstanding rise in the number of web sites regarding the High schools and universities field, with a 47% growth rate and a 88% penetration rate. Note also the amazing penetration rates of 135,7% and 386% respectively for National ministries and Museums which continued to progress. Museums with 58 web sites is also the most representative field in units.

Palestine : High schools and universities and National ministries remain the leading fields both in terms if penetration rates (35,9% and 28,6%) and in terms of units (14 and 8). Note that National ministries experienced a 60% growth over the last quarter.

Syria : No changed happened in Syria, national ministries remains the leading field with 7 of the 8 existing web sites in the country.

Tunisia : the website presence is growing very slowly due to the lack of infrastructure and the poor penetration of Internet in the country. The evolution of the figures is due to the data report of Tunisian National Institute of Statistics (INS). Note that over the last quarter nothing changed, National ministries remains by far the leading field both in units and in terms of penetration, with 25 of 42 institutional web sites and a 96% penetration rate.

Turkey : Slight changes occurred over the last 3 months, some web sites were set up but proportions remain unchanged for each field. Primary and secondary schools remains the leading field in terms of units (293 = 40%) and the last one in penetration (0,47%). Note that High schools and universities and National ministries are the most representative in terms of penetration with respectively 95,8 and 83%.