Mat North schools get Wi-Fi connection

Leonard Ncube Victoria Falls Reporter
AT least eight rural schools in Matabeleland North Province now have wireless internet (Wi-Fi) connection. They also received 80 laptops each for use by pupils as part of the country’s e-learning project.

Matabeleland North Provincial Minister of State, Ambassador Cain Mathema said this at the 150th commemorations of the World Telecommunications and Information Society Day on Saturday, in a speech read on his behalf by the Provincial Administrator Latiso Dlamini in Victoria Falls.

The Wi-Fi project was funded by the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz).

Ambassador Mathema said two schools each would benefit from each of the province’s seven districts, with eight having benefited so far.

The schools that have benefited from the programme are Dandanda Primary and Gogo Secondary in Lupane district, Lusulu Primary and Lusulu Secondary in Binga, Phakama Primary and Zwelabo Secondary in Nkayi as well as Dlamini and Zibungululu in Tsholotsho district.

“I would like to thank Potraz for the projects that have been implemented in Matabeleland North. A number of schools have benefited under the Potraz funded e-learning project.

“I believe this investment by Potraz has transformed the education delivery system at these schools and one can only imagine how gratified the pupils are at this transformational gesture by the regulator,” he said.

Ambassador Mathema said each of the selected schools received 80 laptops for pupils, 10 others for teachers at each school; digital content for each subject excluding vernacular languages; solar power equipment and Wifi connection.

The schools also received a server each, a printer, two projectors, and projector screens as well as furniture that includes 80 desks and chairs.

Teachers from the selected schools have also been trained in Information Communication Technology (ICT).

Ambassador Mathema said it was important for the nation to make long term plans into the information age.

“The importance of ICTs specifically innovation as a key enabler for economic growth and sustainable development in our communities and nation as a whole, can never be overemphasised.

“Technological innovations can drive economic growth through employment creation, increased food security and industrial productivity,” he said.

The project is in line with the government e-learning programme of computerising learning institutions as well as establishing information centres in each district.

This year, the World Telecommunications and Information Society Day was commemorated under the theme: “Telecommunications and ICTs: Drivers of Innovation.”