ZIMBABWEAN EDUCATION AND THE INTERNET

The world at large has witnessed an incredible improvement of technology although the levels of technology are poles apart in various countries. African countries are legging behind even though slowly they are catching up with the rest of the world. Zimbabwe is one country that is recording a significant rise in the use of technology. The education system particularly has registered a massive impact in terms of the use of technology, the internet in particular. In Zimbabwe, President Robert Mugabe at some point in time donated computers in schools around the country with the intention to improve the use of computers in schools as the world is becoming more and more technologically cognizant. Private schools in Zimbabwe are well equipped with computers and some government schools are making efforts in acquiring computers as they are facing financial hardships. Schools in the rural areas hardly have computers in classrooms. There are mixed feelings concerning the use of the internet in the education system. Clearly noticeable are two sides, there are positive and negative effects of having the internet embraced in the education system.

The internet is one good resource for educational researches and has every kind of information one could possibly want. There are websites geared for learning on the internet. The internet is very useful for learning purposes as students will be accessing up to date information on the internet. The internet allows one to find information at any time of the day thus making it easy for students to study, do their homework and research at any time they like. Placing computers in classrooms and at home offers the greatest benefit to education from computers. Zimbabwean schools have been struggling to source enough textbooks and learning materials for their learners. With the internet, teachers can access all categories of information and learning aids can be made for learners thus maximizing learning in the classrooms. The internet has a positive impact on Zimbabwean education by providing students with a variety of resources for their studies.

Sharing of information has been made easy by the invention and use of the internet in education systems around the world. Teachers can put information on the internet then learners can have access to it provided that they have computers and access to the internet. The internet provides a platform for communication between teachers and learners, students can communicate with their teachers by using emails. The internet can provide a platform for interaction to students from different schools around the country. Information can be shared, debates and sporting activities can be organized very easily via communication on the internet. The internet provides an easy way for communication, sharing of information; in this respect the internet has a positive effects on the Zimbabwean education system.
In Zimbabwe and countries beyond our borders people are being encouraged to learn computers for them to be computer literate as the world requires them to be so. Jobs mostly available nowadays require one to have knowledge of computers. If a person can use the internet via a computer it means one must have some knowledge as to how a computer works. The use of the internet means that schools will be teaching computers in schools thus the education system will be producing computer literate individuals into a technology mindful world. Computer literate young people coming out of schools into the world can easily be familiar with technology involving computers they may come across.

However, the internet does not only have educational material but also material that can easily steal the attention or focus of learners when they visit the internet with the intention of doing some researching. Young people in Zimbabwe are very much interested in the old and new softwares, games, social networks and dating sites found on the internet. The desire to learn and use some of these programmes creates a big problem of internet addicts. The internet can make students computer addicts who may even opt to abscond from school lessons as they will be so engulfed by games for example on the internet. Students instead of studying may spend so much time playing games or surfing the net without any particular reason but for the fun of it. If this happens this means that the time spend on studying is reduced resulting in poor grades. The internet in this way poses a serious problem to the education system thus a negative effect on the Zimbabwean education system.
The internet allows people to easily view information thus students can view unsuitable material like pornography. The internet is a tool for sexual predators who engage in chat rooms young students who may easily fall victims. Pornography can be very addictive making it inevitable in some cases for students to act out what they see. Female students may fall pregnant resulting in them being expelled from schools and that will be disappointing as the government is making efforts for the elevation of the girl child in the society through education. Students are also prone to false information that might be available on the internet. This may cause or lead to lots of confusion among students.

Conclusively, the internet has good contributions to the education system in Zimbabwe. The internet is a gateway to all various kinds of information that can benefit students. Having computers in the classrooms generates computer literate individuals and makes available the platform for interaction for learners and their teachers. Simultaneously, measures ought to be taken to stop students from viewing inappropriate content- pornography and using false information by verifying with their teachers.

Onwell Muzawazi.I'm

single. I did my O level at Mabvuku high school then came to Mutare
where I did my A level at St Joseph's high school- Mutare. Later I
proceeded to Africa University where i'm currently doing my studies
for a bachelor's degree. I love writing short stories and poems, and I
also enjoy watching movies.