Thursday, March 28, 2024

It is compulsory for all Grade Nine pupils to write ICT Exams-PS

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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.

10 COMMENTS

  1. The Permanent Secretary must be very backward. How do you subject pupils to an examination which will not count for their selection? Is he insanee?
    If you have ran out of ideas as the Permanent Secretary, just resign so that other qualified people in Zambia can take over not issuing useless statements.

    • I totally agree with you Hilda. Why waste time on a subject that doesnt count when you need to concentrate on those that will take you forward? CNP

  2. Our question as trs to the ministry of Education and the Permanent Secretary plus ECZ is that;
    What will happen to a pupil who only passes in 5 subjects ( English, Maths, Science, RE, Social Studies, ) but flails to make it in best 6 as per custom but passes very well in ICT? For example:

    Nuth Mulenga:
    1. Eng=86,
    2.Maths=77,
    3.Icibemba=65,
    4.Env. Science=65,
    5.ICT=64,
    6.Social Studies=58.
    Will such a candidate be deemed to have failed or not?
    Please we need clarification as teachers in order to see how best we can prepare our learners.

  3. Our question as trs to the ministry of Education and the Permanent Secretary plus ECZ is that;
    What will happen to a pupil who only passes in 5 subjects ( English, Maths, Science, RE, Social Studies, ) but flails to make it in best 6 as per custom but passes very well in ICT? For example:

    Nuth Mulenga:
    1. Eng=86,
    2.Maths=77,
    3.Icibemba=65,
    4.Env. Science=65,
    5.ICT=64,
    6.Social Studies=58.
    7. RE=35
    Will such a candidate be deemed to have failed or not?
    Please we need clarification as teachers in order to see how best we can prepare our learners.

  4. Don’t just talk about ICT .How are they going to write ICT exams when the country has power deficit and you don’t avail computers in schools.Talking is easy but implementation is difficult for our government

  5. Opportunity for internet cafe’s to make easy money by suspending public access for specified periods to conduct classes for willing paying pupils. Nothing illegal for as at now ICT exams will more or less be just general knowledge.

  6. Sheer waste of time if it won’t count as part of results for selection. Let it fall in the category of life skills that are taught such as is the case with sports, physical education and the likes that require no exams. Why would a student even concentrate in studying it? deal with the issue of every school being provided with a computer lab with all the ICT facilities installed then you can examine and consider it part of the subjects that count as part of selection.

  7. Not a single grade nine in my village has electricity let alone a computer,laptop,iPad or iPhone how are they going to study? Please Mr PS let’s use appropriate terms and simple logic. Let’s call ICT an ELECTIVE OR OPTIONAL COURSE. If the course is Compulsory, there should be no explanation as to whether or not it will count for selection.

  8. Try to look for opportunities in all these problems you have raised people,….

    Don’t just shoot down,…. Suggest ways of improving!!

  9. what if i get:
    I.C.T 98 then my best six are
    maths 36 I.C.T 98
    English 90 English 90
    science 78 science 78
    social s 90 social s 90
    business studies 50
    cinyanja 40

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