AT the start of the school year, the Shortwood Practising School had 13 functional computers. They are now down to three — a fact that threatens to thwart students’ exposure to computer science while undermining their performance in the subject area.

“The (10 non-functional) computers do not need servicing, they have become obsolete as their operating systems have failed along with the hard drives,” said Kerry-Ann Facey, who teaches information technology at the institution which has a student population of 1,100.

She added that the limited number of computers had put a great burden on the academic development of the students — a matter that warrants immediate attention.

She noted that the 10 students who had been awarded GoGSAT scholarships to study online for the upcoming Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) topped the list of those at a disadvantage.

“How do we expect the students to practise for their (GSAT) examinations online, which is a requirement for the scholarships? This generation of students should be computer savvy and competitive with gadgets (but) they are not because they don’t know the theories of computers,” Facey complained.

However, the school is intent on remedying the situation. Principal Erica Ewbanks is spearheading fund-raising activities to have the 10 computers replaced — an effort which she said will cost some $720,000.

“We have already allocated a little over $200,000 since we begun our fund-raising exercises,” she said.

“The information technology room is a narrow little thing. I don’t know how Ms Facey does it with the small space and lack of resources. That teacher is really doing a good job,” Ewbanks added, noting that they also harboured hopes of expanding the room.

She also wishes for the information technology classroom space to be expanded to serve all the students and staff.

But the needs at Shortwood Practising extend beyond computers. Teachers need the necessary equipment to bring increased dynamism in the delivery of their lessons through the use of multimedia.

“We have a little copier where we have to be measuring how much to print with the limited paper and ink we have. It is now mandatory that teachers use multimedia to teach, but yet we don’t have all the necessary equipment,” Facey said.

At the same time, many students are in desperate need of textbooks to help boost learning outcomes.

“Because we cater mainly for students from depressed and poverty-stricken communities, most students come to classes without textbooks. So, when I am making references to the subject, many students find it very difficult to grasp the lessons I teach,” Facey noted.

The situation is such, the educator added, that it lays the foundation for the students to be uncompetitive and has therefore urged the publics intervention to aid their own efforts.

“These are some of the students we are going to have in our society in the future. So if you can make an impact on their education now, it will provide better workers for our workforce,” Facey urged.