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By Chimeno Azriel
Schools have been urged to set up computer laboratories if they are to produce and nurture talented learners who will be able to be among the best in the world of Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
In a speech read on his behalf by Schools Inspector Barnabas Chikanya during the official opening of Tafadzwa Primary School’s computer lab held at the school’s premises in Kadoma last Friday, the Sanyati District Schools Inspector (DSI), Joseph Majasi said it was now of paramount importance for schools to set up computer labs as the world is evolving from manual to digitalisation.
Tafadzwa Primary School computer laboratory comes at a time where most institutions are now embracing technology particularly Information and Communication Technologies(ICT) with learners now in need of computers to carry out their researches.
The school embraced the use of ICT and is in the course of achieving positive results and the DSI congratulated the school for setting up the lab highlighting that it will go a long way in improving the standards of learning and pass rate of the school.
“I congratulate the school for setting up the lab and I know it is going to improve the standards of learning and pass rate at this school and I urge Schools in this District to follow suit and set up the computer labs in their schools as well,” said the DSI.
The school set up a computer laboratory with the help of the School Development Committee(SDC) and Harare based Prestine Power Technologies was engaged to supply state of art computers and computer tables at reasonable and affordable prices.
The company later gave the school a set of a photocopier as a donation to the school.
The company which for the past year has been paying educational fees to about 10 students also promised to take care to 25 school kids in the coming year.
The DSI said it was a noble idea for schools to have such labs for it enhances educational researches to facilitators and learners as well.
“Learners are posed to learn, practice and research on subjects and topics they would have been taught and this in turn keep Learner’s busy,”said the educationist.
Mr Majasi also said it was also a noble idea for the school to establish a non- formal education programme whereby the community will be able to come and have computer lessons and at the same time enabling the school to generate income.
“This computer lab can also be used for non-formal education where the community enroll for computer lessons and the school will also be generating some income but at the same time the community will be abreast with technology.”
The Head of the school, Raphel Murunguzha expressed his gratitude to the parents and the partners for ensuring that the school set up the computer lab as a way of enhancing learners’ education.
In his remarks the headmaster said it was an important occasion in the history of the school and he said the establishment of the computer laboratory was in line with the competence based curriculum introduced in schools by the ministry.
“ICT skills are essential for everyday functioning in this world and the establishment of this computer lab is in line with the competence based curriculum introduced in schools by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education and this is an important occasion in the history of the school,” said the head.
The SDC Chairman, Farai Kangombe said it was not an easy road as the Covid 19 pandemic which was characterised by lockdown nearly dashed the school’s hopes but they soldiered on and he said the computer laboratory was going to familiarize all learners from ECD to grade 7 and it will give learners access to information about the world.
“It was not an easy road as we were also affected by the lockdowns which were as a result of Covid -19 but we thank God that we managed to pull through and set up a computer Lab which is a classy model,” Kangombe said.
The official opening was also graced by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education officials headed by the DSI, Public Service Commission officials headed by Mr Chauke, School Heads, Public Works officials, Kadoma Deputy Mayor Cll Kokera, Zb Bank Manager and the school’ s learners’ parents.