Law on Literacy in Information and Communication Technologies

This Law promotes literacy in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT's), as a human and administrative right and establishes the principles and objectives that shall guide the development of the corresponding programs, as well as their forms of management, complementing what is established in the Fundamental Law of Education.

This Law has as its purpose the creation of programs for Literacy in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT's), to promote the inclusion of persons with special needs, the training of teachers at the pre-basic and basic education levels, the training processes of students and/or the technical and professional updating of young people and adults, so that they may adequately incorporate themselves into the world of work and actively participate in social life.

For the purposes of this Law, the following shall be understood as:

• 1)

  TECHNOLOGICAL LITERACY: It is the training process through which cognitive and instrumental skills are developed for the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT's) in accessing knowledge, facilitating problem-solving, social relations and incorporation into the labor market;

• 2)

  DIGITAL DIVIDE: It is the socioeconomic difference existing between groups, communities and persons according to access or lack thereof, as well as its quality, and the use of the internet and other Information and Communication Technologies which generates social and economic inequity; and,

• 3)

  VIRTUAL EDUCATIONAL COMMUNITY: It is the set of persons who interact in a competitive, responsible, participatory and collaborative manner with the purpose of managing formal and non-formal education. It is composed of students, teachers, parents and guardians, tutors, associations, entities with social initiative and other members of society that develop functions within it.

Literacy in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT's) is founded on the following principles:

• 1)

  ALTERNATIVE MEANS: Access to literacy processes through Information and Communication Technologies (ICT's) may be adopted as an alternative form to conventional education by individuals in an alternative manner;

• 2)

  INTEGRITY: It conceives Technological Literacy as a complex competence, which integrates three (3) dimensions:

  • a)

    The instrumental, which implies mastery of information and communication tools;

  • b)

    The ethical, in the access and public and private use of information in a responsible and respectful manner; and, c) The social, which refers to its applications in solving existing problems in their community.

• 3)

  ACCESSIBILITY: It is the availability of access to the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT's) for literacy and teaching processes.

The programs for Literacy in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT's) have the following objectives:

• 1)

  To promote technological literacy as a human right;

• 2)

  To contribute to reducing the existing digital divide to improve the quality of life of the Honduran people;

• 3)

  To use technological literacy as a tool for the promotion of learning and its continuity throughout life;

• 4)

  To enable social inclusion, employability and permanent updating of young people and adults through programs for Literacy in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT's); and,

• 5)

  To strengthen the process of technological literacy of teachers and the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT's) in teaching-learning processes in educational centers of the National Education System, with emphasis on single-teacher and two-teacher schools.

The programs for Literacy in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT's) are directed at school-age persons, as well as young people and adults who require them to satisfy their employment needs, professional updating and active participation in society.

The programs for Literacy in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT's) are developed in formal and non-formal educational spaces. The Secretary of State in the Office of Education, Non-Formal Education institutions, as well as other centralized and decentralized institutions shall organize and develop said programs, preferably addressing the needs identified in educational communities and sectors that present greater social vulnerability. Private parties may participate in the development of these programs through Public-Private Partnerships or within the scope of their social responsibility activities.

The entities involved in the development of programs for Literacy in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT's) must allocate in their annual budget the corresponding funds for its execution. Furthermore, they may enter into agreements with national entities of a public or private nature to guarantee its sustainability.

This Decree shall enter into force as of the day of its publication in the Official Gazette "La Gaceta". Given in the city of Tegucigalpa, municipality of the Central District, in the Session Hall of the National Congress, on the third day of the month of June, two thousand thirteen. ALBA NORA GÜNERA OSORIO PRESIDENT GLADIS AURORA LÓPEZ CALDERÓN SECRETARY JARIET WALDINA PAZ SECRETARY To the Executive Branch. Therefore: Execute. Tegucigalpa, M.D.C., July 10, 2013. PORFIRIO LOBO SOSA PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC THE SECRETARY OF STATE IN THE OFFICE OF EDUCATION. MARLON ESCOTO Legislative Branch DECREE No. 95-2013 THE NATIONAL CONGRESS, WHEREAS: The Constitution of the Republic establishes in its Article 294 the existence of the municipal autonomy regime, to promote the welfare of the population through the execution of works that promote local development. WHEREAS: In the Municipality of Concepción de María, Department of Choluteca, intense agricultural activity is carried out, with the production of basic grains and coffee, as well as livestock. WHEREAS: The Municipality of Concepción de María, Department of Choluteca, contemplates in its Investment Plan for the present year, the execution of several rural electrification projects to satisfy development needs in the communities of: El Tule, Marías del Centro, Granadas Arriba, Marías del Pacón and El Cerrón. WHEREAS: By constitutional mandate contained in Article 205, attribution 19), it is within the competence of the National Congress to approve or disapprove contracts that involve exemptions, incentives for tax exemptions or any other contract that shall produce or prolong its effects in the following government period of the Republic. WHEREAS: Pursuant to Article 205, attribution 1) it corresponds to the National Congress the power to create, decree, reform, interpret and repeal laws. THEREFORE, IT DECREES:

Authorization is granted to the MUNICIPALITY OF CONCEPCIÓN DE MARÍA, DEPARTMENT OF CHOLUTECA, to enter into a Loan Agreement with Banco de Occidente, S.A., for an amount of up to FOUR MILLION LEMPIRAS (L.4,000,000.00), for a term of three (3) years, at an annual interest rate of eighteen percent (18%), payable quarterly through debit to the Municipal Bank Account.

The funds obtained through this loan must be used for the execution of Electrification Projects in accordance with what is established in the Development Plans of the Municipality of Concepción de María, Department of Choluteca.

This Decree shall enter into force as of the day of its publication in the Official Gazette "La Gaceta". Given in the city of Tegucigalpa, municipality of the Central District, in the Session Hall of the National Congress, on the third day of the month of June, two thousand thirteen. JUAN RAMÓN VELÁSQUEZ NAZAR PRESIDENT RIGOBERTO CHANG CASTILLO SECRETARY ELISEO NOEL MEJÍA CASTILLO SECRETARY To the Executive Branch. Therefore, Execute. Tegucigalpa, M.D.C., July 10, 2013. PORFIRIO LOBO SOSA PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC THE SECRETARY OF STATE IN THE OFFICE OF FINANCE. CARLOS BORJAS CASTEJÓN