Constraints on Expanding Computer Education: The Case of the Fiji Islands.

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  • Author(s): Prasad, B. S.
  • Language:
    English
  • Publication Date:
    1991
  • Document Type:
    Information Analyses
  • Additional Information
    • Peer Reviewed:
      N
    • Source:
      15
    • Subject Terms:
      Capital Outlay (for Fixed Assets); Computer Literacy; Computer Science Education; Educational Finance; Educational Policy; Foreign Countries; Microcomputers; Program Implementation; Secondary Education; Teacher Shortage; Teacher Supply and Demand
    • Subject Terms:
      Fiji
    • Abstract:
      With the advent of microcomputers during the 1970's, foreign countries have been trying to introduce some form of computer literacy into the school curriculum. This paper presents the efforts of the Department of Education of the Fiji Islands to introduce computer education into the curriculum and constraints that impede those efforts. Since the creation of the Computer Education Center (CEC), eight procedures have been used by the center to facilitate computer education teaching in the country. Measures include the purchase of computers, training of selected mathematics teachers in the use of the computers, development and distribution of computer software, school visits by CEC officials, development of teacher guides for use in instruction, production of a booklet on computers, and distribution of a computer education newsletter. The following three constraints on further development of the computer education program are identified and discussed: (1) a lack of capital investment to equip computer laboratories; (2) a shortage of qualified computer teachers; and (3) a lack of an integrated policy on the part of the planners. Seven recommendations to alleviate these problems are presented: (1) give priority to developing an integrated, long-term policy for computer education in secondary education; (2) include more units on computer education in teacher preparation; (3) develop textbooks using local content; (4) revise the salary of mathematics and science teachers to retain teachers; (5) train school administrators in non-teacher use of computers; (6) increase the importance of computer education in form 6 mathematics; and (7) conduct a survey of schools currently offering computer education to identify problems. (MDH)
    • Publication Date:
      1993
    • Accession Number:
      ED353125