Good move, but laptops may attract harm on learners
Parents have welcomed the government's decision to issue laptops to senior secondary school students, however, there is some worry that this might endanger their children’s lives.
This follows the Ministry of Education and Skills Development’s decision to embrace digitisation in schools.
Education Minister, Dr. Douglas Letsholathebe announced earlier that every teacher and student in every senior school would be issued laptops at the beginning of the third term.
Shane Chawilane, a parent, expressed concern in an interview with The Midweek Sun that laptops may attract thieves and put children's lives at risk.
Even if the ministry installs a security tracking system, Chawilane says this will not deter thieves, as they are often ahead in terms of planning. He was worried that criminals carry dangerous weapons like knives and screwdrivers and children would not be able to defend themselves when attacked.
'Thieves nowadays use force to get what they want and our children may be hurt in the process. Schools should not even suggest that students must carry laptops to their homes,' he said.
Chawilane however believes that the introduction of laptops in senior schools would help foster competition and hard work among students at lower levels who would desire the privilege to own one when they reach senior secondary, as many junior secondary students perform badly in their examinations.
Kabo Tebogo, a parent in Francistown, said the devices would help bridge education inequalities prevalent in the community. Tebogo observed that many parents are currently struggling to buy their children laptops to help in their learning and research. He believes that with this initiative, every learner will have the opportunity to own a laptop and boost their self-confidence.
'Issuing laptops in schools will bridge the digital and technology gap among marginalised households. Children from marginalised households will have the opportunity to use laptops just like children from privileged households whose parents can afford to buy them laptops,” he said.
Further, learners would have a higher chance of succeeding since resources that aid learning are availed to them.
Tebogo further raised concern that government often makes promises and comes up with initiatives that take years to be implemented, adding that schools are reopening next week, therefore they must ensure that everything is in place for the initiative to start.
He added that the ministry should fill vacant posts of teachers in senior schools and not issue laptops to act as teachers to their children.
''The government should roll out these laptops in time to avoid delays on the learning process of the children. The rollout should start in all districts across the country because some in the North East District are often sidelined in resource allocations. Treat all districts equally regardless of their tribal history and nature,' he advised.