About Us | Valued Visitor Gift | Job Hint | Email Us | Opportunities
EDUCATION NEWS
Why computer science knowledge
is a must for every student
A brief interview with Queens School computer club 2001 - 2003 student president Oluwakemi Ibadan.
This interview was conducted by Oluwakemi Makinde.
The Queen School Computer Club recently celebrated their annual Computer week.
SPH: Tell us the objective and aims of the computer club in your school.
Oluwakemi: Basically, it is to encourage students to develop their skill in technology, to provide an avenue to learn about computer technology for the students of this school, so we can be aware of what is going on in other parts of the world, now that the world is a global village. The computer club is to create awareness of computer science and its advantages among students.
The Queens School computer club was formed in 1999. Our matron is Mrs. A. T. Olofin; she has been of tremendous help to the growth of the club. We are very much interested in computer and this has been the very factor sustaining the computer club in Queen School.
SPH: What you have gained by being a member?
Oluwakemi: I can operate the Computer Machine to a certain level, Excel word processing and some programming language. I know about information sharing. I have visited so many notable places during exhibition, and all these experiences have really given me exposure to know more about computer. We have some hindrance, but despite all these, I am learning new things about the Computer technology and it has been a very fascinating experience.
SPH: Have you participated in any computer-related competition, either through the Internet, or outside of it?
Oluwakemi: Not really because we don't have information about some of these Internet-related competitions and also for lack of access to the Internet where we can read the announcement about the competition. I really would love to take part in some of these competitions, to at least gain more understanding of how technology is changing things globally.
And I would want to win some as well!
SPH: How many student are in the club?
Oluwakemi: We are about 100 students in the club. We don’t have the capacity to be more than this number, because we don’t have the equipment to train them so that they can have all the benefits and advantages the computer club is established to provide for all the members.
The computer club membership are from JSS1-SSIII but computer science subject is offered in JSS1-JSSIII basically because of equipment and other materials. Senior student's classes don’t offer computer science as a subject.
SPH: What do you have to say to schools and students that are yet to embrace the computer science subject and computer club in their schools?
Oluwakemi: Computer science is a very interesting subject that every student should embrace and get to know about it. It is very interesting being a member of computer club because it has exposed me to so many innovations, through exhibitions and excursions to places of great interest to students.
The world is now a global village, as they say, and this is because computers are playing a greater part to make this a reality. I believe it is now imperative, a must for all students to be computer literate.
SPH: What are the problems hindering the smooth running of the Queen school computer club?
Oluwakemi: The first major problem is financal for most of our programs. The computer week was organized through contributions and the support from our very industrious principals, who have been our greatest strength and help all time to sustain the club.
Secondly, lack of adequate and up to date computers with new teaching and learning tools, lack of Internet access, and outdated software. No public secondary or primary school is connected to the Internet in the whole of this state. The schools Parents-Teachers Association (PTA), with the able assistance of Mrs. Olofin, donated the computers we have presently. I think private organizations, corporate bodies, and most importantly government should equip the schools with up to date computers and all the computers should be connected to the Internet so that student can have access to the Internet and the tremendous information and enormous resources on the World Wide Web. Also, schools and students should embrace the idea of computer clubs in their school.
I think this should be the starting point if we as students really want to be relevant in the information age.
Queens School, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria,
Computer Club 2001-2003 Executives
Questions or problems regarding this Web site should be directed to the Webmaster.
Copyright © 2002, Spottershouse.org, All Rights Reserved. Last modified: 7/8/2003.