A one day free seminar titled the Information Technology Literacy and Authentic Technology Adaptation, organized by the Tonkia Business Solutions and Information Technology Training center in Kenema has ended at the Tejan Kabbah Hall at the Eastern Polytechnic campus along Combema road in Kenema city.
The seminar which brought over 600 participants mostly teachers from primary and secondary schools and from all works of life in Kenema city and its environs was aimed at creating awareness about locally available opportunities for acquiring modern, relevant technology skills for both personal career advancement and for stimulating sustainable national development efforts.
In his opening remarks the Deen of Faculty of Education at the Eastern Polytechnic Mohamed Gendemeh welcomed participants at the campus and expressed his appreciation because such a seminar is being organized by Sierra Leoneans as the world is going Information Technology (IT). He added that everybody needs to have understanding in basic computing. Mr. Gendemeh says this opportunity will help this part of the country to be part of the Global World disclosing that Tertiary institutions in Sierra Leone in which Eastern Polytechnic is one are calling for computing as an introductory programme.
He said modern societies cannot go on now without computing. He called on all to pay special attention during the seminar and to ask questions that are of importance to all especially in the area of Information Communication Technology (ICT).
In his keynote address the Mayor of the Kenema City Council (KCC) Chief Brima Kargbo said he is proud of the idea of IT in the city because it portrays the status of a city, of which he said Kenema city is one of the cities in the country. Chief Kargbo said with the Eastern Polytechnic in this part of the country, he sees no reason why there will be war in this country again saying that it was because of lack of education that brought war in this country. He appealed to the organizers to extend the programme and facilities to the rural areas as we are now living in a Global world.
Mr. Alfred Musa Jambawai of the Department of Computer Studies at the Eastern Polytechnic disclosed that they are on a pilot project, and that they have got about 225 computers from Computer Aid International in UK for and on behalf of teachers and other professionals in Kenema city.
He encouraged all to work with their head teachers, principals and heads of departments to get one of the computers at the cost of Le500.000 leones in one year, adding that more computers will follow depending on the demand and commitment.
Mr. Jambawai says that one of the basic requirements for teachers to receive the computer is that they should be receiving their salaries through a bank. He said they are in the process of transforming the Computer Technology for Kenema (KTC) into a Local NGO adding that they will be offering free tuition to their beneficiaries. He said the beneficiaries are at liberty to request for their money if they receive any computer that is not in good order.
Some of the key topics covered during the seminar include Concept of education (What is education?), Philosophy of education, Mastery of skills and critical thinking and Technology in education among others.
Mr. Fadel Sesay says they are in to open the eyes of educators and other working professionals to the World of possibilities for authentic technology adaptation.
At the end of the seminar hundreds of teachers showed up expressing their interest in acquiring a computer on their own.
By Saffa Moriba in Kenema
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