adminPUPILS will now be required to use smart-phones, tablets and laptops for learning purposes in schools as part of the new education curriculum which came into effect at the beginning of the first term. The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education said both schools and parents must play a part in the provision of Information Communications Technology (ICT) gadgets.
In an interview, the Ministry’s public relations officer Mr Patrick Zumbo said the gadgets would be used by pupils from ECD to A-Level.
“With ICTs now part of our education curriculum it’s true that pupils will be required to use the gadgets. It will depend on resource availability in schools as they should ensure that children have access to the gadgets,” said Mr Zumbo.
“Parents must also chip in and help schools which are not well resourced to provide the gadgets. In fact, it is the obligation of both parents and schools to support pupils in getting the required gadgets.”
He said some schools have already asked parents to buy the gadgets for their children.
“Parents must also understand that these gadgets especially smart-phones will be strictly for learning and not for calling or WhatsApp. We’ve enough capacity to monitor the gadgets and we will block some of these sites in our schools,” Mr Zumbo said.
“There is no harm in introducing these gadgets to pupils doing ECD A and it depends on what ICT material you introduce.”
One parent, Mr Sipho Bhebhe, said the gadgets were going to expose school children to undesirable content.
“Children are now exposed to the internet at a very early age which comes with pornography and all graphic crime pictures. I think children in ECD are too young for computers.” — Chronicle.
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Online Reporter