BY JOY OFASIA
MINISTER of Education and Human Resources Development, Honourable, Lanelle Tanangada described the recent handover of the new computer lab project to Honiara Senior High School as an advantage to education’s future.
Honourable, Lanelle said the computers in this laboratory will assist students and teachers to develop information and communication technology skills, which are essential for everyday functioning in the world of work, business, study, and leisure.
“Computers currently have a tremendous influence on how we communicate with each other.
“I have confidence that this computer laboratory will play an important part in addressing some of the challenges we face in assessing learning and teaching resources, for example, it will familiarize learners with computers.
“Not only that, but it will give learners access to information about the world as well as encourage learners to read and use relevant and appropriate information obtained through the many websites that are related to the subjects learned and to learn the assignments.
“The use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in Education should not only focus on providing computer literacy driven practices but also employ the richness of resource-based learning and creativity in ICT.
“Using ICT enables learners to work with an assortment of resources to learn through the experience of problem-solving, as they piece together information strands to construct meaningful knowledge about the subject,” the Minister of Education and Human Resources told students and teachers at the handing over ceremony.
The Honiara Senior High School Computer Lab was officially opened on August 8 2022, it is a gift for peace and education through the Education Sector Support Program, a partnership between the government of Solomon Islands, Australia and New Zealand.
She warned teachers and students to make sense of ownership and responsibility in looking after these important resources.
“I urge both students and teachers upon their high school to visit our Ministry of Education website, particularly the resources for a wide variety of digitalized educational and curriculum resources that we have made available.”
“I would like to appeal to the principal teachers and students of Honiara High School to look after the computers and make full use of them,” Hon Tanangada said.
She thanked the Australian and New Zealand governments for the generous gift and assured them that the school will make maximum use of the lab to achieve the students’ and teachers’ success.
“It is fitting for me as the minister for Education to express my gratitude and thanks to the government and people of Australia and New Zealand for your generous support which we valued so much, as students and teachers of Honiara High Senior School will access the computer laboratory.
“Initiatives such as this give substance to many of ideals and visions of my ministry, and why we believe young people must be prepared, in terms of knowledge, skills, and values for the life they’re expected to live in. with further support from the community our present and future national governments, the development partners we can join to address the ICT in education infrastructure needs and access to quality education challenges,” the Minister of Education and Human Resources Development said.
