Government has embarked on an exercise to strengthen computer education in public schools in a bid to empower pupils with technology skills that will enable them to succeed in the technology driven world we live in.

Announcing this development on behalf of the Minister for Education and Training Phineas Magagula, was the under secretary responsible for schools, Macanjana Motsa. This was during the release of the first payment for the project of constructing computer laboratories in rural school by the Republic of China on Taiwan.

She said computer education as a field of study is becoming compulsory in most of our schools hence public schools are compelled to provide learners with technology competency skills that will enable them to succeed in the technology driven world we live in.

She remarked that the impact of computer technology in education cannot be overemphasized and therefore great efforts should be made to sustain and improve the pace of its development in schools.

The Republic of China on Taiwan released US$480 000, which represents 60% of the US$800 000 that has been pledged towards the project. A total of 10 computer laboratories will be constructed through Micro Projects Coordination Unit.

The laboratories will be constructed in secondary schools in different parts of the country. Beneficiary schools are Nkhanini high, Mafucula high and Nceka high in the Lubombo region. In Manzini they are Lozitha National high and Mlindzini high. In the Hhohho region the schools are Gija (Mkhuzweni) high, Ejubukweni high and Ebuhleni National high while in the Shiselweni region they are Ndabazezwe high and Ezindwendweni high.

At least 3200 learners will benefit from this project during the first year of its completion while with time, many more Swazi children will benefit. The project is expected to be complete by the end of March 2016.