The Sunday Mail
ANDERSON Adventist High School in Gweru is a leading implementer of e-Learning in Zimbabwe following the recent installation of state of the art equipment.
Desire Ncube
Pupils at the school have already migrated from using chalk boards to projectors during lessons.
Due to these efforts, the school received the Southern Indian Ocean Division Accreditation Association (SID-AA) award for championing e-Learning.
The SID-AA board consists of representatives from the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, the SDA regional church education director, who hails from Malawi, heads of over 23 schools, and parents.
Seventh-day Adventist national education director, Pastor Felix Njini, said their vision and mission compelled them to offer pupils true education, hence embarking on initiatives like e-Learning.
“We are mainly motivated by our vision as a church, which strives to address four main components of life in a child which are spiritual, physical, mental and social aspects. Our desire to be a source of true education pushed us to come up with this e-Learning initiative,” Pr Njini said.
“The SDA church had agreed to an e-Learning pilot project, deploying computerised Science and Mathematics and virtual laboratory software. It then joined hands with the Parents and Teachers Association, who contributed for the project to be a success,” added Pr Njini.
Six other SDA schools — Nyazura, Ruya, Gunde, Nemane, Chabanda and Solusi High Schools —have been shortlisted for the project.
After selecting Anderson High as a pilot project, the SDA Church ensured particular attention was given to Science subjects and Mathematics at both O and A-Level.
The software has 2D and 3D capability, and is fully aligned to the national curriculum, using local examples and local voiceover.
This makes it easier for both teachers and pupils to use and to understand.
The visuals, inter activities and voice overs help capture the senses of vision, hearing, and touch (manipulation) enabling easier understanding and retention of abstract scientific concepts.
While parents were engaged and teachers trained, Science Software clubs were also established for pupils, students among initiatives to encourage appreciation of e-Learning.
Monitoring and evaluation by the Accrediting Association of Seventh-day Adventist Schools (AAA) was continuous, tracking inputs, results and the programme’s impact.
It was this and many other developments that enabled the school to receive an “A” grading in the Sadc region ahead of other SDA schools.
“At the heart of Anderson Adventist High School is its spirituality, which pervades all aspects of school life and work. Thus, Anderson involves itself in the holistic nurturing of spirituality and encourages every student to have a dynamic relationship with their God and Saviour,” said headmaster Mr Caxton Mukasvanga.
SDA North Zimbabwe Conference education director, Pr Farukai Mbiriri, said they emphasised e-Learning because they knew it would deliver results.
“The average performance was lifted, students became excited about Science and Mathematics and teachers would understand complex concepts for the first time to become better teachers. The ultimate aim in all these efforts, and in focusing on Science and Mathematics is to enable a rapid increase in science-related vocations to build the base of the scientific workforce necessary for any country’s development,” Pr Mbiriri explained.
Since 1950, Anderson Adventist High has educated young Zimbabweans to become responsible, contributing members of society who firmly embrace Christian values.
