Internet in schools, the right way to go
Mmegi Editor | Tuesday March 28, 2017 11:05
This move could not have come at a better time as the world is digitalising and moving towards a paperless workplace. Just two years ago, the Gauteng province in South Africa introduced computer tablets for students to reduce use of chalks, blackboards and paper in the classrooms.
This is something the Botswana government could copy. Our schools should go digital with the Government providing all the infrastructure necessary to achieve this. It is our sincere hope that this will not be just another Government project that will die a natural death, two or three years down the line.
We believe that with Information, and Communication Technology (ICT) in public schools, there is a high likelihood of more jobs being create.
This will help address the unemployment challenge that continues to bedevil the country. There will be a need to train teachers on ICT issues, or even hire ICT technicians to attend to any technicalities that may arise due to breakdowns of just operations of the equipment and its related gadgets.
We advise that with the internet in place, children in this country should be introduced to ICT at an early age, which calls for reforms such as reviewing the curriculum at primary, secondary and tertiary education levels.
Children should be taught simple applications such as Microsoft Word at elementary level, so that by the time they get to high school, they are familiar with advanced applications and are ready to learn using various other new software.
The world is racing ahead when it comes to filling the digital gaps and we have no option but to integrate ICT into our daily lives. It has been predicted that the internet will probably overtake any other invention in the next decade and a good example is how the social media has revolutionised communication since it entered the scene.
On a different matter, our road transport infrastructure is a mess and going out or getting into Gaborone is a headache, especially in the morning and evening rush hours. The Minister must speed up the construction of intersections along the Western Bypass to ensure flow of traffic.
The Ministry should also consider installing cameras along major highways and intersections as a matter of urgency as it will help in police patrols and saving lives.
We cannot afford to continue losing valuable lives to reckless motorists who do not value life. New ideas, coupled with benchmarking against the best in the world can improve our lives, save lives and succeed in fighting poverty and unemployment.
Today’s thought
“I force people to have coffee with me, just because I don’t trust that a friendship can be maintained without any other senses besides a computer or cellphone screen.”
- John Cusack