Lack of electricity in Choma likely to affect pupils ICT results

Southern Province minister Edify Hamukale says lack of electricity has obviously affected the performance of pupils in the Information Communication Technologies (ICT) examinations, in Choma district. 

Dr Hamukale says there is need to implement a robust programme that will ensure schools in rural areas are electrified. 

He said the current situation were pupils in rural area have no access to computer education owing to lack of electricity, calls for concerted efforts in finding solutions that will facilitate the use of computers.

He said this will help to ensure that pupils are not disadvantaged during national examinations. 

Dr Hamukale revealed that his visit to some rural schools in the province was not impressive, as pupils have no access to computer facilities but are expected to write ICT examinations. 

He says the provincial administration will work closely with the ministry of education to ensure that the rural community is electrified especially those near the national grid. 

“We need to also look at solar power as an alternative source of power for schools far away from the national grid,” he said. 

The minister said this today during a press briefing in Choma district of Southern Province.

Meanwhile, last year thousands of children sat for their Grade 9 ICT practical exams upto past midnight due to shortages of computers, in most parts of the country.