Annunciation secondary school, nike

Community high school emene

Community secondary school, akpuoga-nike
Community secondary school ugwago
Girls secondary school emene
Girls secondary school, abakpa
Jenkins comprehensive college
Saint Patrick’s secondary school
State ideal secondary school
Problems of Computer Science Education in Universal Basic Education (UBE)

It is obviously known to everybody that computer science discipline is relatively new subject
compared with long established subjects like mathematics, chemistry, physics etc though they
too face a lot of problems in Nigeria. Therefore computer science as a new discipline could
not be left out. Below are some of the problems of computer science education in UBE.

1) Poor implementation and management strategy: the poor implementation and management
strategy hinder the success of computer education in UBE. According to Omotayo,
Ihebereme and Maduewesi in Alaba [1] identify poor implementation strategy, management
and lack of quality assurance as responsible factors to realize the goal of UBE.

2) There is problems of setting-up and management of computer science laboratory in our

primary and junior secondary schools. Being computer as a practical subject, therefore
requires laboratory(ies) for conducting practical classes but the cost of setting up laboratory is
very high, also the management of such labs is very formidable task because there are no
adequate and well trained personal to manage the labs.

3) Inadequate and well trained computer science teachers: there are no adequate and qualified
computer science teachers in our primary and junior secondary schools, most of the schools
that offered computer as a subject it is the mathematics teachers that teaches computer and
majority of them are not specialist in computer. The few professionals are attracted to banking
and other sectors of economy. Thus there is gross inadequacy of enough and well trained
computer teachers in UBE.

4) Inadequate supply of electricity: there is acute shortage of electricity supply in Nigeria in

which computer depend on, though there are other alternative source of power such as
generators and solar but they are very costly, in addition most of the primary and secondary
schools are located in the rural areas where there is no electricity.

5) Inadequate schools and classrooms: there are no enough schools and classrooms available
to enroll the school going children in UBE, all the three tier of government neglected
education sector with no facilities and other infrastructures in schools, no new establishment
of schools, those available their buildings were dilapidated. Pupils received lesson under the
tree in many schools. There is poor attitude of government towards computer science
education more especially in UBE, the government is not showing its concerns in primary and
junior secondary schools compared to tertiary institutions where computer centers are
establish neglecting the primary and secondary schools which are the foundation of education.

6) Lack of motivation: there are no enough remunerations and incentives to computer science
teachers to motivate them to stay and develop their career in the profession; this is why
majority of them are attracted to banking industries and other sectors that paid well.

7) Lack of computer library in primary and secondary schools: most of the schools do not
have computer library for teachers and pupils to have access to reading materials and many
schools even the general library. 8) Inadequate furniture for both pupils and teachers: there is
acute shortage of sitting and writing furniture for both teachers and learners in most schools in
Nigeria. In some schools the pupils received their lesson on a mat or on the floor. According
to [5] though the federal, state and local governments are providing furniture for the
classrooms, he said the furniture is not adequate considering the number of pupils admitted
each academic session.

9) Primary and junior secondary school drop-out: there is high percentage of school droup-out
in UBE. Oghuvbu in [6] says the percentage of drop-out at primary and junior secondary
school is high especially in the rural areas.

Prospects of Computer Education in UBE

1. The introduction of UBE programme is one of the step-forward towards the computer
education in the country more especially at basic level of education.

2. There is hope for computer education in UBE due to the ample career and job opportunities
especially in the future ,for the Nigerian school learners with skill in computer science and
education such as word/data processing operators, system analyst, programmers, website
designers, and engineers etc.

3. Some public and private schools in some states such as Katsina state started to offer
computer science or studies as a subject in some selected junior and senior secondary schools
level and established computer laboratories in these schools.

4. The interest shown by government in the development of information and communication

technology like Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) will arouse government
interest to embrace computer education in UBE and also in line with the aims and objectives
of the UBE.

5. The offering of computer science as a course by tertiary institution is another way of

tackling the problem of no enough and well trained teachers to teach in primary and junior
secondary schools.

6. The development of UBE curriculum minimum standard (computer education inclusive) by

National Educational Research and Curriculum Development (NERCD) will ameliorate the
problem of no uniformity in the primary and junior secondary schools curricula.
7. Private individuals and organization are in the forefront in providing computer training
centers or institutes in most of our urban cities. These centers engaged in massive training of
the young and old in computer appreciation and applications.

Conclusion

It is clear that no human endeavors that have not being touched either directly or indirectly by
rapid development of computer field. The progress of any nation in this era is its dependent on
its ability to embrace and utilize information technology. Here in Nigeria as a right our
children should be taught computer science and technology, so as to face the challenges
ahead. As a matter of urgency, federal, state and local government should ensure proper
implementation and management of computer policy programme in the nation. In addition to
that the National computer center should be established as we have mathematical centre.
Therefore, to achieve all these, there must be proper planning, research, evaluation and staff
development. As such it is now the task of government, educational planners/administrators
and private organization to play major role in developing computer curricular and its
implementation more especially in UBE so as to meet the challenges in the country and world
at large.

Computer has a long history of existence. Today computer technology has undergone series
of transformations. According to kremer (2005) defines computer as electronic machine that
operate with remarkable speed and reliability. Although initially, many believe it was
impossible that computer could be a scientific field of study, in the late fifties it gradually
became accepted among the greater academic population. Computer science which is the
science that deals with the theory and method of processing information in digits. Computer
has become a rapidly growing discipline as the technological age advances.

Computer science could also be understood as the blending of principles, theories and
applications of technologies that underlies the access of information. The information that the
computer scientist uncovers, processes, stores and communicates is often encoded in a
computer memory. From the above explanations, it could be deduced that computer science is
wholly referring to the science of computing which is the use of computer to process data or
perform calculations. Computers have virtually touched nearly every aspect of human
endeavor. Computer is an electronic device which accepts data as an input process, stores and
gives out information as output. It is a machine which can hold vast qualities of information
and accurately stores information for future use.

Kremer (2008) defined computer as electronic machine that operate with remarkable speed
and reliability. A micro processor “brain” and electronic memory work together to enable the
computer process data. Why was the computer invented should be the next question that
comes to mind. Computers were invented to solve many mathematical problems in the early
stage. But today, computers have gone beyond that and there is hardly any area of life where
computer cannot be applied. In a rapidly changing world, basic education is essential for an
individual to be able to access and apply information. Such ability must include the adequate
use of computer. The Economic Commission for Africahas indicated that the ability to use
computer in accessing information is no longer a luxury, but a necessity for development.
Unfortunately, many developing countries especially in Africa, are still low in computer
application and use (Aduwa, 2005).

Evoh (2007) emphasized that secondary school or secondary education is essential of the
creation of effective human capital in any country. The need for the inclusion of computer
science in the education curriculum of the Nigerian secondary schools cannot be
overemphasized. In this technology-driven age, every one requires ICT competence to survive
(Adom & Anie 2006). This calls for early acquisition of computer skills by students.

Oduroye (2002) emphasized the increase in demand for computer literacy in Nigeria. This is
because; employees realize that computer and other ICT facilities can enhance efficiency, on
the other hand, employees have also realized that computers can be a threat to their jobs, and
the only way to enhance job security is to become computer literacy. Teaching and learning
these skills is a concern among professionals. Computer application and use will prove
beneficial in improving Nigeria’s educational system and giving students a better education,
also, skilled computer professionals who will be well equipped to solve ICT problems in
Nigeria and other parts of the world (Goshit, 2006).

There are development in the Nigeria education sector, which indicates some level of
computer application in the secondary schools. The federal Government of Nigeria in the
national policy on Education (Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2004) recognize the prominent
role of computers in the morden world, and has integrated computer studies and science into
education in Nigeria. To actualize this goal, the document states that government will provide
basic infrastructure and training of the primary school. At the junior secondary schools. It is
also the intention of government to provide necessary infrastructure and training for the
integration of computer science in the secondary schools system.

It should be noted that 2004 was not the first attempt the Nigerian government made to
introduce computer education in schools. In 1988, the Nigerian government education enacted
a policy on computer education. The plan was to establish pilot schools and diffuse computer
science innovation first to all secondary schools, and then to primary schools.

Unfortunately, the project did not really takeoff beyond the distribution and installation of
personal computers (Okebukola, 1997). Aduwa and Iyamu (2005), concluded that the
computer is not part of classroom technology in more than 90 percent of Nigeria public
schools. This implies that the chalkboard and textbook continue to dominate classroom
activities in most Nigerian secondary schools.

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