Primary and Secondary Education Minister Dr. Lazarus Dokora has called for local Information and Communication Technology (ICT) experts to develop educational games as part of stimulating the use of ICTs in the educational sector.
Speaking during the successful launch of the Gweru International Book Festival (GIBF) yesterday at the Gweru Civic Centre, Dr. Dokora applauded GIBF for assisting artists publish and sell their works on the internet, urging parents and guardians to embrace electronic gadgets as part of their educational apparatus.
“I am glad to hear that GIBF has been assisting authors and artists to publish their work, curb piracy and market on global internet platforms.
“As a sector we commend the increased use of Information Communication Technologies to empower society and advance education,” he said.
“We will continue to urge parents and students to promote the usage of electronic gadgets and smart phones for educational and productive purposes. These gadgets must not become a curse, but a blessing to our families and the nation.
Minister Dokora said educational games help stimulate and develop the mind hence the need to advance the edutainment ideas to keep education interesting.
“May our local ICT experts take up the challenge to develop Apps in the game-development space, so that more and more educational games are available to stimulate the minds of our young people, whilst entertaining at the same time.”
Dr Dokora commended the non-formal promotion of education being driven by the GIBF initiative.
“Now our learners and other stakeholders can participate in activities that promote a reading culture, inspire focus on education and skills as well as promote the identification and development of talent and life-skills; all these benefits have been brought closer to their schools and communities.
“This year’s International Literacy Day theme ‘Igniting the Power of Ideas Whose Time has Come’ is important in directing us towards valuing education in its different tastes, that is, Primary, Secondary and Non-Formal Education,” he said.
GIBF has given a face to the International Literacy Day commemorations in the Midlands and soon the nation at large as it grows, which previously passed without any significant recognition by society.
The official launch is a unique and historic event, as Dr. Dokora said, which supports the new educational curricular outside the classroom as it enters its second phase.
The GIBF launch was graced by several dignitaries who include representatives from the Minister of State and Provincial Affairs office, Midlands Provincial Administrator, UNESCO, Gweru Mayor, Provincial Education Director, exhibitors from different businesses, tertiary institutions, schools, artists among several others.
