Chipinge schools to acquire computers

Freedom Mutanda
ASPNET (Associated Schools Project Network), an arm of UNESCO, a United Nations agency, last week, brought 50 computers to Chipinge that were bought by several schools to help them develop ICT skills from the ECD level to advanced level. The BSPZ, Chipinge branch, hosted the handover of the computers and laptops to school heads at the Chipinge Education District Office.

Mr Innocent Chademana is the provincial co-ordinator of ASPNET in Manicaland and chairs the national board of provincial co-ordinators in Zimbabwe.

‘’We are in the information age and no-one must be left behind in this technological revolution. Therefore, the United Nations, through UNESCO has established ASPNET in order to bridge this technological gap. We are not in competition with BSPZ but we complement each other. In the digital age that we are in, pass rates have to continue to soar. Thus, we make schools access these desk tops and laptops at competitive prices. To illustrate, a desk top goes for $200 while a laptop costs $280,” said Mr Chademana.

“Computer Aid International based in the United Kingdom is our partner in this computer programme as it works hand in glove with UNESCO to empower schools in disadvantaged communities. The organisation sends representatives to evaluate the project’s progress and ensures that corporate governance in the disbursement of these computers is adhered to. So far, a 26 000 pounds solar powered computer system has been donated to a school based Chipinge, Madziwa, together with fourteen computers.

“The community, school and pupils are happy at the turn of events. Very soon, the Internet facility will be brought there,’’ he added.

Mafumise Primary School did not want to belong to stragglers; in fact, it has a dream of making every student have a computer of her/his own by the end of 2016 in the computer laboratory.

“I am really excited about the ASPNET drive towards quality education through bridging the digital gap. As a school, we have bought twenty computers but our plans are to buy twenty more next year to bring the number to forty which is the average number in a class room,’’ said the school headmaster, Mr Trust Chipongo.