Computer Labs a necessity in schools

Computer labs a necessity in schools
Paul R. Aruho

There has been a wave of computer studies in our schools. In most schools, parents have been forced to stretch deeper into their pockets to fund the setting up of computer labs. Though setting these labs take time and money they are very important to our education system.

In most schools I have travelled to, there are many limitations that have frustrated school administrations to make this dream come true. Administrators squeeze as much as possible to use the few computers available to introduce basic computer skills to their students.

There should be an effort to prepare schools to accept the technology. This means convincing parents and teachers about the need to put up a computer lab in a school.
Certain basic infrastructure such as electricity, phone lines, school buildings, safe and secure environment and insurance should be emphasised. Certain minimum infrastructure requirements are important to enable the use of ICT.

In Mbale secondary school, which has a population of over 3,000 students, there is less than 25 computers. Curious students just stand in front the screen, and many hardly touch the mouse. The computer lab is also small which does not make it comfortable for students to have their lesson.

But their teacher Mr Charles Mubiru, feels this is a good beginning. He says the small number of students who in my classroom touch a computer is an indication that there is a bigger challenge and an eye opener to school administrators and parents.

Teachers need to understand the application of ICT to support their teaching and administration. Therefore, a policy should be set up to identify ways of improving teacher capacity in the use of ICT as well as their specific integration into teaching systems and pedagogical models. The policy should also outline the type of additional staff required to support computers and related technologies

Information and Computer technology needs to be available to a large number of students and teachers. Existing computer technology is still not appropriate in terms of complexity and cost for school environment. Cheaper-easier-to use technology must be developed and implemented in schools to allow a greater use among students and teachers.

There also an urgent need to train teachers in the use of ICTs in schools. Majority of teachers in our schools don’t know how to use computers. The profession development of teachers sits at the heart of any successful technology and education program. Teachers not only need formal training but also sustained and on going support form colleges to help them learn how best to integrate technology in their teaching.

Teachers need to be able to transform their classes from places where a static one-way flow of information from a teacher to students occur, into a dynamic, student centred learning environment. Through the use of Internet, learners can be able to interact with peers in teams, both in their classrooms as well as vital classes around the world.

Most teachers however are intimidated by technology and are comfortable with their own old teaching styles. There is need to generate confidence in teachers about ICTs. Teachers should be able to have personal access if not, the full potential of ICT will remain untapped. This confidence will enable teachers to know when and how to use ICTs in classrooms and when not to use it.

Teachers should be helped to use technology as a tool and transform their classrooms into interactive, inquisitive learning environments.

Do our schools prepare children for the real life
PAUL R. ARUHO


Dan Muganzi (not real name) finished a course from the University in social works and social administration. He walked the streets of Kampala for three years combing for a job in vain. He ran back home in Bushenyi to his disappointed parents and asked his father to buy him a car to do special hire. His father didn’t take him serious, but seeing the graveness on his face he did that for him. He is among the lucky ones who have parents that can do that for him. Dan is now a special hire driver in Bushenyi town and he looks happy.

There are many youths out there doing the jobs they never trained in. One wonders whether our schools prepare children for the real world these days.

You will agree with me that the world has changed but the education system has remained static. Children spend years in an antiquated educational system-studying subjects they will never use, preparing for that, that no longer exist.

Many parents have been disappointed after paying expensively for their children’s education and when they finish, they cannot find the jobs.

David Mafabi a secondary schoolteacher and journalist say that lack of career guidance in schools is leading students to courses that will not help them in future.
“You find a person taking mass communication without knowing the demands of the course,” Mafabi says.

These days the dangerous advise you can give a child is ‘go to school, get good grades and look for a safe secure job’. This has become old advice and it is bard. We have seen many people who were mediocres in school but now they are managing huge businesses and very well.

Dr. Ahemd K. Ssengendo the Rector of Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU) says that the education being given to students is not purposely for jobs, but an eye opener for them to look far into the future.
He advises students that instead of roaming in Kampala they should go back home and develop their villages.

It is foolish to assume that the education the school system provides will prepare your child for the world they will face after graduation. Each child needs more education, different education and they need to know the rules. A child today needs a sophiscated education. We all know that education is the foundation of success. There is need to provide skills that are virtually important in regard to financial and communication oriented.

We study to get money, acquire wealth and live a good life. But do the subjects studied at school prepare our children for this? Getting good education and good grades no longer assures success. Everybody should notice that and let the children know. Good grades were of long time ago when governments provided jobs.
Dr. S. K Simba a lecturer at Makerere University in the department of political science and public administration once wrote that the researched data to show that people with high academic qualifications tend to be better leaders compared to those with low qualifications does not exist. (Daily Monitor 24th Jan 2006)
That is why even president Museveni rarely considers academic qualifications in his appointments.

The ministry of education is coming up to boast technical schools. A lot of support is needed especially from every Ugandan either rich or poor. We need to support practical and science subjects in schools to make sure our children are given the required skills. However much expensive these subjects could be, let everybody do his or her best in regard to supporting practical subjects in our school.

Giving our children the same advice our parents gave us years back is poisonous. The world around us has changed but the advice has not. It is disastrous for those of us born into a rapidly changing world.

It is for real; our schools no longer prepare the children for the real world a head of them. We need to change this.

Contact: paul202us@yahoo.com
0782 386 463