Some 500 teachers recently completed training in the use of the computer as a teaching and learning tool in order to increase the access of students to Information Communication Technology (ICT).
Education Minister Shaik Baksh made this disclosure while addressing a group of teachers recently at the Hosororo Primary School as he pointed out that a number of schools have benefited from newly- established computer laboratories, the Ministry of Education reported.
He said too that teachers were trained to utilize the technology to help students to improve their performance in core subject areas.
More than 60 secondary schools have already been equipped with computers while at the primary level 60 schools are expected to receive similar attention this year.
To date more than half of the targeted number has received fully implemented computer laboratories which include refurbishing of existing space to provide the required environment for the equipment.
Moreover, a computer network that allows for the sharing of data, applications and physical resources such as printers and scanners was also installed.
These laboratories in the primary schools, Baksh said, have been installed with a specialized learning software, the Success Maker, which has been designed to strengthen students’ skills in languages and mathematics.
And at least two teachers from each of the targeted schools have undergone training in basic computer literacy with an introduction to the Success Maker application.
All schools which have implemented Success Maker received hands-on orientation so teachers can guide the configuration and set-up of students’ profiles.
At the secondary level, Baksh said that laboratories with 30 computers each were established at five schools with support from the Canada-based NGO Global Partnership for Literacy (GPL).
The Ministry of Education is currently working with GPL to provide computers to an additional five secondary schools.
Online learning
Meanwhile, four other schools received computers as part of a UNICEF supported project – Connecting Class-rooms. This project is intended to provide online learning support for children in Grades Seven to Nine in core subject areas.
Already a web-based application has been developed for the publishing of subject lessons, and teachers from selected schools have undergone training in the preparation of content.
In an effort to ensure that teachers are adequately prepared to use computers for teaching and learning, the Ministry of Education has started the development of an ICT competency framework for teachers. This plan provides a roadmap for teachers’ professional development in ICT and makes available the training opportunities for teachers to develop appropriate skills.
Support for this undertaking has been provided by the Commonwealth Secretariat, the Commonwealth of Learning, and Microsoft Corporation.
These and other initiatives in the area of ICT are in keeping with meeting the objectives set out in the ministry’s 2008-2013 Education Strategic Plan, which envisions equipping all secondary schools and 50 per cent of primary schools with IT laboratories by 2013. However, Baksh has been plugging for these benchmarks to be achieved within another year, the ministry added.
