The Ministry of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education says it is compulsory for all Grade Nine
pupils to write Information Communication and Technology
(ICT) examinations although the subject will not be used for selection to Grade 10.
Permanent secretary Chishimba Nkosha said this is because not all schools have been supplied with computers.
He said had the ministry supplied computers to all schools, computer studies would have also been used for the
selection to Grade 10.
Mr Nkosha said the theory part of computer studies examination will be 60 percent while the practical part of it
will be 40 percent.
In an interview recently, Mr Nkosha said it was the ministry’s
hope to supply computers to all schools before the
introduction of computer studies.
“We have faced certain constraints, which have hindered us
from supplying computers to all schools. Funding, long
procurement procedures and legal battles have been some
of the challenges we’ve been facing,” he said.
Mr Nkosha also said despite the limitations, the ministry
found it fitting to introduce the subject.
He said the ideal situation is to ensure that pupils are given
computers for their hands-on experience.
“If you are teaching pupils about an elephant, the ideal
situation is to take them to a zoo or a game park where they
can see the real object,” he said.
Mr Nkosha, however said, there are times in the classroom
when teachers use simulations or pictures to teach some
concepts.
He added that this is the same approach teachers have been
using to teach computer studies in schools where there are
no computers.
And Mr Nkosha said not all teachers are computer literate,
adding that, however, school authorities have identified
those that should undergo regular orientation.
He said during this year’s recruitment, teachers who are not
computer literate and without teaching background will
undergo teaching methodology courses offered by distance
learning institutions.
Meanwhile, Mr Nkosha said the ministry has written to
Zesco asking for permission to ensure there is no
loadshedding when the practical computer exams are in
progress.
This year’s Grade Nine pupils will be the first to write ICT
examinations from the time the subject was introduced last
year under the revised curriculum. LT
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