adminNqobile Tshili Chronicle Reporter
FOUNDERS High School in Bulawayo yesterday commissioned 20 computers and a film projector with a combined value of $16 000 as it moves to complement Government’s E-learning initiative.The School Development Association sourced the computers and the projector.
The school also refurbished the boys’ hostel at a cost of $46 000. The hostel was gutted by fire in 2004. Speaking during the commissioning which was deliberately timed to coincide with the annual Speech and Prize Giving Day, the guest of honour, prominent Bulawayo businessman Mr Clement Kunzekweguta said the computers will go a long way in enhancing E-learning.
“There is no doubt that we are in the Internet age and these computers will help pupils in their studies,” said Mr Kunzekweguta.
He challenged the Government to review the secondary school curriculum from being academic centred to a diversified one that would meet the pupils’ different talents.
Mr Kunzekweguta said the secondary education curriculum does not prepare pupils outside academic circles and as such limits them from exploiting their full potential.
“Our secondary school curriculum is examination driven, placing more emphasis on the ability to pass an examination rather than the ability to put into practice what is learnt. The concern for passing examinations takes centre stage,” said Mr Kunzekweguta, an educationist.
He said pupils have failed to recognise their individual capabilities as their mindset has been academically inclined.
“We have pupils who are not gifted academically but talented in various disciplines for example art, sport and even craft work who cannot fully exploit their potential because of the secondary school curriculum,” said Mr Kunzekweguta.
He said the curriculum had ruined the lives of pupils who are forced to write the Zimsec Ordinary level examinations and then fail.
“The academic centred and examination driven curriculum has seen the Zimsec O- level pass rate of five Cs or better hovering at an average of 20 percent.
“This pass rate of 20 percent shows that the type of education offered by our secondary schools is not suitable for our pupils since it brands them as failures,” said Mr Kunzekweguta.
Online Reporter