BOSETU welcomes introduction of laptops in schools
FRANCISTOWN: The Botswana Sectors of Educators Trade Union (BOSETU) has welcomed government’s decision to introduce laptops in schools, but warned that rolling out the initiative across the country will not be a walk in the park.
Early last week, the Minister of Education and Skills Development, Douglas Letsholathebe announced that government will be giving out laptops to all students and teachers starting with senior secondary schools when the third term begins later this month.
“My ministry is moving with speed to embrace the opportunities offered by digitalisation. As I speak today, laptop devices are being delivered to senior secondary schools across the country. Every teacher and every learner in every senior secondary school will be issued a laptop beginning next term,” Letsholathebe said.
The minister added that the devices are distinctively colour-coded Botswana blue and installed with a security tracking system. They also have a remote cut-off mechanism to render them unusable should they fall into the wrong hands.
However BOSETU secretary-general, Tobokani Rari said while the union believes that laptops are necessary in schools, the government is to some extent not ready for their roll out.
“The introduction of laptops in schools is a step in the right direction. We are in the digital era. Our worry as a union is that the introduction of all good initiatives by government often come when there is lack of preparedness for their roll out. The readiness (to introduce laptops) on the ground has not been well assessed,” Rari said.
He further stated that some of the schools do not have the right infrastructure to support the introduction of laptops. Rari pointed out that the introduction of laptops should be complemented by good internet facilities.
According to him, the union comprehends that the government has been erecting internet infrastructure in some schools in recent weeks in a bid to prepare for the roll out of laptops. He, however, remained skeptical that some schools will be able to access reliable internet timely in order to fully utilise the laptops.
“As I speak, there are schools that do not have electricity because they are not connected to the electricity grid. This then means that they will not be able to access the internet, ultimately meaning that they will not be able to fully utilise the laptops,” Rari said. He added that urban schools would abundantly benefit from the laptops because they have good internet facilities.
Rari said that government could have long opted for solar powered electricity in schools that are not connected to the grid particularly those in very remote areas.
He elucidated that the move would have meant that the roll out of initiatives such as issuing of laptops and internet was done without many barriers.
The BOSETU secretary-general added that laptops attract thieves who can pose great danger to both learners and teachers. For this reason, he urged government to come up with sound strategies aimed at protecting teachers and learners from potential harm by criminals who might be attracted by the laptops.
Furthermore, he expressed hope that the government would purchase software that foster learning from young Batswana to augment the newly introduced laptops.
He said most young Batswana have come up with good software that aid learning, but government has been reluctant to use the gadgets.