Take Care With ICT Strategies

ALLOW me to air my views and sentiments in regard to our Namibia education system which is really in transitional stage.

Recently, I was really fascinated by our Government’s move to incorporate ICT in Teacher’s Colleges by 2008 as stipulated in ETSIP. Indeed, this educational reform is a kindling call in Namibian educational endeavour.ICT is needed by our teachers to harness their teaching and make learning more do-able and easy.On the other hand, ICT is one of the envisaged catalyst themes for us to fulfil our vision 2030.But are we willing to do it right? They said any reform or change is not easy to reach its conformity.A change, or any reform may not yield in a desirable outcome through a short period of time.A change or a reform may be a change in itself as it progresses.It is of paramount importance that our Government has sensitised a need of ICT in our colleges.However, we must be careful about the strategies that we are using to integrate ICT in our Namibian education system.A strategy may be successful in UK, but it might not be successful in Africa.Scientifically, you cannot put a “kashushu” fish from our traditional ponds into seawater and expect it to survive.Although both places are water, this fish can only survive in where it belongs.Let us be “original” rather than waiting for some expatriates to come and tell us what not to do and what to do.Of course, two heads are better than one, but we should be careful about which head to use.If we really want to adhere to our Vision 2030, there are many issues that need to be readdressed.Self-enrichment or capitalism versus patriotism is one of these issues.Is it for the love of money or for the love of the nation? Ideologically, ICT incorporation in education means provision of more ICT-related materials to all Colleges.But who is going to supply us with these? Is it the Government? Is it any Samaritan NGO? We really did well at most of the other educational reforms.However, we still need some changes from top to bottom or vice versa in our communication channels.For example, this year we have increased the student teachers intake at most of the colleges, which is really good.However, we are forgetting that these student teachers need accommodation, classrooms (just to mention a few) etc.Are we going to give them enough computers? Are they going to share the computers? “Tse otu shi lyapopya katu shi lyamwena” Willem P.Nashidengo OshakatiIndeed, this educational reform is a kindling call in Namibian educational endeavour.ICT is needed by our teachers to harness their teaching and make learning more do-able and easy.On the other hand, ICT is one of the envisaged catalyst themes for us to fulfil our vision 2030.But are we willing to do it right? They said any reform or change is not easy to reach its conformity.A change, or any reform may not yield in a desirable outcome through a short period of time.A change or a reform may be a change in itself as it progresses.It is of paramount importance that our Government has sensitised a need of ICT in our colleges.However, we must be careful about the strategies that we are using to integrate ICT in our Namibian education system.A strategy may be successful in UK, but it might not be successful in Africa.Scientifically, you cannot put a “kashushu” fish from our traditional ponds into seawater and expect it to survive.Although both places are water, this fish can only survive in where it belongs.Let us be “original” rather than waiting for some expatriates to come and tell us what not to do and what to do.Of course, two heads are better than one, but we should be careful about which head to use.If we really want to adhere to our Vision 2030, there are many issues that need to be readdressed.Self-enrichment or capitalism versus patriotism is one of these issues.Is it for the love of money or for the love of the nation? Ideologically, ICT incorporation in education means provision of more ICT-related materials to all Colleges.But who is going to supply us with these? Is it the Government? Is it any Samaritan NGO? We really did well at most of the other educational reforms.However, we still need some changes from top to bottom or vice versa in our communication channels.For example, this year we have increased the student teachers intake at most of the colleges, which is really good.However, we are forgetting that these student teachers need accommodation, classrooms (just to mention a few) etc.Are we going to give them enough computers? Are they going to share the computers? “Tse otu shi lyapopya katu shi lyamwena” Willem P.Nashidengo Oshakati