adminTanaka Mahanya
POSTAL and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) has assured the nation that it will continue ensuring that no place is left behind in terms of internet connectivity this year.
Speaking at the commissioning of computer labs in Masvingo, POTRAZ director general, Gift Machengete, said they are connecting the unconnected.
“In 2022 a total of 1 117 schools were connected to the internet under the Schools Connectivity Programme.
“An additional 672 Schools and 17 institutions of higher and tertiary learning, including polytechnics and vocational training centres, were provided with 12 months’ bandwidth under the ICTs for disaster management programme, as a way of alleviating the impact of Covid-19.
“In terms of setting up of School Computer Laboratories, the programme for which we are all gathered here, in 2022, the Authority equipped 186 computer laboratories at various schools’ countrywide with a minimum of 30 computers each.
“The total number of computers disbursed to schools during the year is 4 280,” he said.
Machengete said some schools are yet to be equipped.
“Of course, there are some schools we are yet to equip, but I would like to assure you all that we shall leave no place and no one behind in this programme.
“To ensure no school is left behind, we are officially commissioning 14 School Computer Labs in Masvingo province.
“We shall certainly continue on the same trajectory as we accelerate the ICT Lab per school programme as we move in haste to reach all corners of the country.”
He said some health institutions were connected last year.
“Apart from the e-learning initiatives I have alluded to, last year, a total of 955 health centres were connected to the internet with one-year bandwidth subscription being paid for each of the centres.
“Additionally, a total of 249 police stations were connected to the internet under the E-Government Programme,” he said.
Online Reporter