Focus: Laptop computers: Kids have their say

Three thousand pupils from Kagugu primary school in Gasabo district last Friday received laptop computers during the official launch of the One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) program. The rest of the laptop computers will be distributed at a later date. At the launch, the Minister of State for Primary and Secondary Education Theoneste Mutsindashyaka commended President Paul Kagame for liaising with his friend, Nicole Negroponte, the proprietor of OLPC project, who offered the computer to the Rwandan education sector. On his part, the minister in charge of ICT in the president’s office, Romain Murenzi says the laptop computer donation is a big stride in setting the ground for an ICT based economy. Margaret Mujawimana is the headmistress of Kagugu Primary. She said on Monday that ICT is central to Rwanda’s 2020 vision and will transform for education sector. The government through the ministry of education is focusing on the quality of education and indeed, being a landlocked country, the country relies on the capacity and the performance of its population. Mujawimana says any investment undertaken in this country aims at making its population apt and able to develop an economy based on knowledge and know-how is highly recommendable. Theodomile Habiyaremye is in primary six at Kagugu primary school. She sounds thrilled about the laptop computers being distributed in schools. She says she will use it for research. “I think we shall be able to compete globally. The world is developing very fast and it is good for Rwandan children to be helped at an early stage,” Habiyaremye says. According to Mujawimana, the children had earlier attended some training to acquire skills on how to operate computers. “They have now basic knowledge on computers from Kigali Institute of Science and Technology (KIST). We have also received ten trainers from KIST to provide more necessary skills to the children on how to handle the machines,” Mujawimana adds. Clementine Muneza, another pupil at Kagugu says the world is becoming a global village and the children in the developing world need to read widely. “Our top leadership is very committed and they have realised that development largely hinges on quality education,” Muneza says. “I have personally learnt how to use the computer’ dictionary. It has helped me a great deal,” Maurice Ndacyayisenga, a primary five pupil explains. Louise Nyiransengiyumva tells The NewTimes that children now have access to global issues. “We read world news and get to know what is happening. For students to excel academically, one must know what is happening in the world,” Nyiransengiyumva adds. Ends