Mr
Trust
Mutekwa
Country of residence
Zimbabwe
Age
47
Job category
Public Servant
Sector of Activity
Research/University
My top 3 facilitators
Workplace accommodations
I had a successful launch of the Computer Skills drive for children with visual impairments at St. Giles Special School. If it was not for the support I got from my administrators, colleagues and parents, I would not have been accommodated with the new ICT resources in the work space and the school schedule.
I acquired a braille embosser, scanners, a desktop computer, a projector and a printer before children had computers. It involved their commitment in applying for duty rebate and travelling to some offices several times.
In a few months, parents acquired personal computers for my first class.
I had freedom to initiate timetables for workshops with my colleagues and for sessions with the class.
When we received computers for the whole school, a room was opened for our classes with all children. They bought new furniture, fitted burglar bars and a brand new air conditioner.
All this support gave me success in weeks and confidence to request duplication in other schools.
I acquired a braille embosser, scanners, a desktop computer, a projector and a printer before children had computers. It involved their commitment in applying for duty rebate and travelling to some offices several times.
In a few months, parents acquired personal computers for my first class.
I had freedom to initiate timetables for workshops with my colleagues and for sessions with the class.
When we received computers for the whole school, a room was opened for our classes with all children. They bought new furniture, fitted burglar bars and a brand new air conditioner.
All this support gave me success in weeks and confidence to request duplication in other schools.
Education
The Education Ministry reviewed the curriculum with policies on inclusive practices. They welcomed the computer skills drive for primary and secondary school learners with visual impairments. When they hosted a week long Education Stakeholders Conference, they offered me a platform to share the success story I had with my students at St. Giles Special School. Many more workshops for teachers of students with visual impairments were organised and I was asked to share my approaches with them.
Our education encouraged partnership-based solutions in ICT skills development. We witnessed massive cooperation of various organisations and individuals in provision of ICT resources. Hundreds of computers with screen readers were distributed in our special schools and resource units for children with visual impairments. My school received computers that influenced the opening of a room for classes with all of our students. Several organisations offered formal ICT courses for teachers.
Our education encouraged partnership-based solutions in ICT skills development. We witnessed massive cooperation of various organisations and individuals in provision of ICT resources. Hundreds of computers with screen readers were distributed in our special schools and resource units for children with visual impairments. My school received computers that influenced the opening of a room for classes with all of our students. Several organisations offered formal ICT courses for teachers.
Community organizations
If it was not for community organisations I would not even have kick-started the Computer Skills drive for learners with my first class at St Giles. I got the braille embosser, 2 scanners and duxbury software from a rotary club based oversees. Initially, an organisation offered me 26 computers, I accepted 16, received the teacher's desktop and waited for installation of screen readers on the rest. About the same time, another organisation delivered more than 20 of them.
More organisations distributed hundreds of computers, a few braille embossers & dozens of projectors, printers and screen readers in special schools and resource units for learners with visual impairments.
They offered workshops and formal ICT courses for teachers in both special and regular schools.
They opened inclusive community information centres and libraries.
They offered computer training and rehabilitative services to children and adults with visual impairments in our communities around the country.
More organisations distributed hundreds of computers, a few braille embossers & dozens of projectors, printers and screen readers in special schools and resource units for learners with visual impairments.
They offered workshops and formal ICT courses for teachers in both special and regular schools.
They opened inclusive community information centres and libraries.
They offered computer training and rehabilitative services to children and adults with visual impairments in our communities around the country.
My Journey
Computer Skills for Every Blind Child
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