Comments

Most candidates who attempted the question did performed well in 7a. However their performance in 7b was very poor. They could not state the benefits of privatization.
The expected responses to the question include:

7(a) Computer input devices

i. Mouse

ii. Keyboard

iii. Microphone

iv. Joystick

v. Optical pen

vi. Optical mark reader

vii. Scanner

viii. Camera

ix. Thumb print machine

x. Magnetic ink character recognition (MICR)

xi. Card reader

xii. Optical magnetic reader/recognition

xiii. Voice recognition machine

7(b)( ii) Uses of the computer input devices mentioned in 7 (a) i
i. Mouse: This is a pointing device that can be used to select or tick options during the operation of the computer.

ii. Keyboard: This is a typewriter-like device that is used to type characters (letters, numbers and symbols) into the computer.

iii. Microphone: This is a voice device that can be used to give instructions to the computer or read data to be captured by voice recognition software.

iv. Joystick: This is a handgrip device with buttons used to control movement in aircrafts or computer games.

v. Optical pen: This is used in libraries or supermarkets to read bar codes that are used to identify products.

vi. Optical mark reader: This is a machine with an eye that can be used to read objective answers or bar codes on products and transfer same to the computer.

vii. Scanner: This is an imaging device that can be used to transfer images or typed letters back to the memory of the computer.

viii. Camera: This can be used to take images at different locations and then transfer them as input to the computer.

ix. Thumb print machine: This is a device that is used to read finger prints into the database of computers.

x. Magnetic ink character recognition (MICR): It is a technology used to verify the legitimacy of paper documents, most especially in the processing and clearance of cheques.

xi. Card reader: This is used as a security device to read data previously written on cards and then transfer the data to the system unit.

xii. Optical magnetic reader/recognition: It is a device that is designed to read characters printed with special ink and transfer it into the system unit of the computer.

xiii. Voice recognition machine: It is a device which has the ability to decode a human voice.

7(c) Benefits of Privatization

i It reduces government expenditure as no allocation is made in the budget to such businesses.

ii It promotes efficiency in the management of the business.

iii. It eliminates state monopoly.

iv It encourages private participation in the economic activities/development of the country.

v It gives consumers wide range of choice due to the existence of competition.

vi The proceeds from privatization increases government revenue.

vii It attracts foreign investors thereby bringing in foreign exchange.

viii. It attracts foreign entrepreneurs and technology.

ix. It leads to increase in employment opportunities.

xi. It leads to an improvement of the standard of living as a result of the opening of more industries.