The Imo House of Assembly, on Tuesday, advised Gov. Hope Uzodimma, to direct the Ministry of Education to immediately introduce special computer training programme for senior secondary school (SS3) students.
The house made the call in a motion sponsored by Mr Kingsley Ozurumba, representing Isu constituency, during its plenary session.
It also called for the special training of external students for the Joint Admission and Matriculation Examination (JAMB) from the state.
Moving the motion, Ozurumba identified computer illiteracy as one major challenge faced by students in rural areas, resulting in their poor performance in UTME examinations.
He blamed the development on the lack of access to computers in secondary schools in the rural areas and students’ zero computer skills.
He also said that parents and guardians were financially incapable of providing computers for their children, in addition to the problem of the lack of access and proximity to computer learning centres.
The lawmaker also said that JAMB had consistently conducted its examinations via modern technology, despite the occasional setbacks.
He said that the trend made it imperative for the Ministries of Education and Digital Economy to collaborate to quickly set up a special programme for computer technology skill training for SS3 students and external candidates for improved performance.
He recommended that the training programme be clustered, using three pilot schools in each local government, where other schools can send their pupils for training, while preparing for the exams.
Ozurumba further recommended that school principals be directed to organise themselves in their local governments to help the students access the training.
Supporting the motion, the Majority Leader, Mr Kanayo Onyemaechi (Owerri West constituency), said the programme would help the students to sharpen their digital skills and better equip themselves for the future.
Contributing, Mr Ugochukwu Amuchie (Aboh Mbaise), said that the proposal would provide an opportunity to ensure that computer skills are channeled in the right direction through an improved educational curriculum for the good of the children.
Amuchie also said the programme would help the candidates to excel in their examinations.
Also, Mr Chisom Ojukwu (Nkwere constituency) said that the future of the children depended on their deep knowledge of digital technology.
Following more contributions in support of the motion, the Speaker, Mr Chike Olemgbe, ruled in favour of the prayers in the motion.