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KRQE: BIA wasted $10M on school distance learning system
Monday, May 13, 2013
Filed Under: Environment | National | Technology
More on: bia, bie, new mexico
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An ELKNet terminal. Photo from ELKNet Site Operator Training Manual. The Bureau of Indian Affairs wasted $10 million on a distance learning system, Larry Barker of KRQE-TV reports. The Enhanced Learning and Knowledge Network, also known as ELKNet, was supposed to provide programs for Bureau of Indian Education schools across the nation. But only a handful of schools participated before the program was abruptly ended after just 21 months, according to KRQE. “We’ve never had instructions on how to use the equipment,” Dr. Tamarah Pfeiffer, the superintendent of the Alamo Navajo School in New Mexico, told KRQE. “In three years, it’s just been equipment standing in a room.” BIA Director Mike Black at first called the program a success even though it's no longer in operation. However, he appeared to be surprised when he was told few schools participated. “Not knowing the full facts and everything that’s there, yes it would surprise me,” Black told KRQE. Get the Story: Federal TV project a $10M boondoggle (KRQE-TV 5/10)

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