Marciskool Academy shines at computer science E-sports tourney
CHITUNGWIZA-BASED Marciskool Academy put up a stellar performance to win the Dzidzo Inhaka Computer Science E-sports (CoSci E-sports) Infant and Junior tournament that was held at Zimsec Centre auditorium recently.
The school emerged tops after scooping seven gold, five silver and three bronze medals.
Their coach, Emmanuel Kanyongo, was voted Coach of the Tournament.
Connect Kids Junior and Rose of Sharon Junior came second and third respectively.
CoSci E-sports is Zimbabwe’s newest computer-based sport that was founded by education technology enthusiast and director of Dzidzo Inhaka, Shepherd Chimururi.
CoSci game activities are extracted from the ZIMSEC ICT and Computer Science syllabus from infant, junior to senior level in a fun way designed to boost computational thinking and technical skills of learners known as players under the guidance of teachers known as coaches using computers.
The players follow a set of rules moderated by match co-ordinators and enforced by Judges.
The player who finishes first according to instructions is declared the winner.
CoSci E-sport is played both live and online. The activities included digitally drawing and painting the Zimbabwean flag, making a power point presentation, making a pong game using scratch programme, typing and text formatting competitions, playing maths games among others.
In an interview, Connect Kids Junior School pupils, Charles Sambo and Kyle Katsande, who won gold in the Under 9 Double activities in a basketball game of addition, said winning was a dream come true for them.
Sambo said; “I feel so happy to have won gold at the CoSci E-sports tournament. It was a great pleasure since I was the one who was on the machine while Kyle was the one doing calculations. This win has really inspired me to be an astronaut so I want to use computers to research more on my dream job.”
His partner, Kyle Katsande, concurred saying she loves playing the CoSci E-sports.
“For me playing a maths game is so exciting I really enjoyed doing the calculations for Charles who is fast and very technical. After school I want to be a mechanic and I want to use computers in finding faults in the cars.”
Jayden Mhazo a gold medallist from Marciskool Academy, spoke of his dilemma before the competitions. “To be honest I was nervous and I did not have enough self-confidence, but my coach encouraged me. When I heard my peers cheering my name, I knew that I had to concentrate and represent my school very well and I did it.
“Now I am aiming to compete at international level. Thanks to Dzidzo Inhaka E learning for the great exposure,” said Jayden.
Thandeka Masuka (7) a Grade Two pupil from Rose of Sharon junior School who won the Under 8, the 1+2 rain mathematics activity was on cloud nine.
“I practiced very hard both at school and at home. I want to thank my coaches Sir Simoko and Madam Siziba who believed and encouraged me to win,” she said.
Schools that participated in the competitions include Top Kids Junior, Jireh Junior, Lookeron Junior, Connect Kids junior, Rose of Sharon Junior, Infinite Grace Junior, Marciscool Junior, Mabel Crest Junior and Little Angels from Chiweshe Kakota area.
In his closing speech, the founder of Dzidzo Inhaka Computer Science, Mr Shepherd Chimururi, said E-Sports games aim to revolutionise computer science education for learners by combining Computer Science, e-learning and gaming.
“By providing an entertaining and interactive platform, we strive to ignite enthusiasm for computer science among students while equipping them with essential skills for the digital age.”
“We are excited about the potential of this sport to make a lasting impact on the next generation, and we hope to collaborate with more schools to spread Computer Science E-Sports to all corners of the country for the benefit of school students for a better Zimbabwe.
“We want to cultivate national values and heritage in children using technology,” he said.
Eagles Heights, Blossom preschool, Dawn Academy, St Elizabeth, Kwality ECD Centre, Hickory Infant and Hilbra ECD centre from Rutenga participated in the infant section of the competitions.