Rachel comes to Nkayi, Bubi districts
Sibonginkosi Mpofu
Community Action to Achieve Prosperity Trust has introduced government schools in Bubi and Nkayi districts to a Remote Area Children Hotspot for Education and Learning (Rachel), a battery powered and portable device that contains educational data in offline format.
The non-governmental organization built a digital library that is now being accessed by several schools in the above mentioned districts. This versatile gadget has made learning easier and interesting for the learners as it allows students to access learning aids even without internet services and electricity.
Community Podium visited one of the recently developed schools with modern technology to incoperate Rachel, Tame Primary School where the government has previously provided the school with tablets and laptops to improve E-learning at the school which has enabled the E-library.
The library ensures delivery of learning aids to all learners from infant stage.
“The library’s capability to provide visuals and sound has made learning easier and interesting for our young learners. They now have the zeal to come to school everyday and we have been receiving better feedback from them. The community is delighted by this initiative as the children are now exposed to the ICT way of living and are moving with the times” said Matthew Mhaka the school’s Information Technology Communication teacher.
Rachel also known as Bridge-pi was introduced to these remote schools during the COVID 19 pandemic.
“The library is accessible anywhere within a radius of 50 metres hence it promoted social distancing during the pandemic. Teachers could upload work prior to lesson time and allow learners to study in the teachers’ absentia,” added Mhaka.
” We are grateful to the organization for not neglecting the school and introducing this life changing gadget that does not only cater for learners but also helps teachers to deliver lessons in absentia. To compensate for the school’s shortage of teaching material, through bridge-pi, teachers can upload textbooks, novels and question papers. Right now administrative meetings, sports days and other emergencies can nolonger disrupt learning progress,” said Sakhile Bhebhe of Guwe High School.
However for Guwe High School, the library can only be accessed within the school premises as home studying through bridge-pi is disabled. Most learners do not own cellphones to access the library and the school does not have the gadgets to support this initiative but Primrose Mpofu, an A level student at the school says the school has taught learners to share.
“Sharing has never been an issue as we are a family. We share cellphones with the less fortunate among us. At the end of the day we all get to access the same priviledges provided,” she said.
Mthokozisi Moyo, the co-founder and CEO of CAAP said, “Bridge-pi allows learners to access E-learning offline.These are our children, let us educate and support them because tomorrow is theirs. Therefore with the help of community members supporting their children and many more partners joining us, we hope to advance the program around Zimbabwe.”
