Computer Rooms Are Not Enough

We Need Digital Ecosystems

Many schools showcase their computer rooms like trophies. But a room alone is not digital transformation. The real question is: do learners actually gain digital literacy, tech confidence, and creative problem-solving skills? Too often, the answer is no.

A computer lab that is used only twice a week, for rigid tasks, with outdated software, contributes very little to learner development. Digital ecosystems, on the other hand, rewire the entire learning environment. They integrate technology into subjects, teacher training, school administration, and even the culture of experimentation.

Curriculum reform must reposition technology as an everyday tool, not a scheduled event. A mathematics class should include coding simulations. A geography lesson should use digital mapping. A language class should explore storytelling apps. Technical subjects should incorporate digital fabrication and virtual demonstrations.

Connectivity matters too. Without reliable internet, computer rooms become archives instead of engines. Partnerships with telecom companies, device manufacturers, and civic tech organizations are essential.

The goal is not to use computers. It is to produce digitally fluent learners who can build, design, analyse, and innovate. Africa cannot compete globally with a once-a-week computer period. We must redesign digital learning from the ground up.