Giving school children a leg up: computer education at Kimbilio

Digital readiness is a critical need for school children. In the DR Congo, it's difficult to accomplish. Based on #UNICEF household surveys published in 2019, only 14% of boys and 9% of girls have ever used a computer. 16% of boys and 9% of girls have used the internet. The numbers are lower in rural areas, and the gap between boys and girls worsens in rural areas as well.

The Kimbilio Mapendo School has a dedicated computer room for the school children -- it's quite a distinction from most schools. The computer room is well equipped with desktop computers loaded with Microsoft Office software. A generator assures there's electricity to power them. The children are taught practical use of computers - how to turn them on and off, locate files, and use applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel and Powerpoint. The primary school students have one hour of an introductory computer class every Friday. The secondary school students have four hours per week, giving them the opportunity to develop deeper schools. The children are taught both practice and theory.

At present, the Kimbilio Mapendo School does not have internet connectivity for its computer room -- a wish list item for sure, as it will enable development of computer-based research skills.

#DRC #DRCongo #secondaryschool #secondaryeducation #socialimpact #lubumbashi #luowoshi #hautkatanga #upperkatanga #streetchildren #streetconnectedchildren