What is the history of computers in education?

During the 32nd ministerial council meeting of the National Council on Education in 1987, the Federal government of Nigeria decided to introduce computer education into the nation's secondary school system. This was followed by the inauguration of the National Committee on Computer Education the same year.

The functions of the committee include "planning for a dynamic policy on computer education and literacy in Nigeria as well as devising clear strategies and terminologies to be used by the federal and state governments in introducing computer education" (Nigerian Tribune, April 11, 1988). The general objectives of the policy include:

1. Bring about a computer literate society in Nigeria by the mid-1990s.
2. Enable present school children to appreciate and use the computer in various aspects of life and in future employment. (Report on National Committee on Computer Education, 1988).

According to the National Computer Policy (1988), the first objective is to ensure that the general populace appreciates the impact of information and computer technology on today's society, the importance of its effective use, and the technologies that process, manage, and communicate the information. The second general objective is to ensure that the people of Nigeria will know how to use and program computers, develop software packages, understand the structure and operation of computers and their history, and to appreciate the economic, social and psychological impact of the computer. The modalities and the strategies for achieving the stated objectives include:

1. Training teachers and associated personnel
2. Hardware facilities
3. Curriculum development
4. Software developments and evaluation
5. Maintenance of hardware and peripherals

answered by NNAJI AUGUSTINE CHUKWUKA