Sundaymail Editor
Government on Tuesday commissioned modern computer laboratories at six schools in the capital to facilitate learners’ access to Information Communication Technologies (ICTs).
The six schools – Budiriro 1 Secondary, Glen View 1 High, Highfield 1 High School, Southerton Primary, Harare High and ZRP High – received 30 laptops each and free internet connection for a year courtesy of the Postal and Telecommunication Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz).
The programme is a result of joint efforts between the Ministry of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services and the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.
Speaking at the commissioning of the labs, ICT Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere said promoting e-learning was important to keep learners in school in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Our vision is to see all learners having access to and knowledge of ICTs to not only facilitate learning in the classroom, but virtually from any place and at any time,” he said.
“The ICT labs we have commissioned today are, therefore, a gateway in schools to the world and they are also a route marker as Zimbabwe forges its way towards attaining an upper middle-economy by the year 2030.”
Government, he added, plans to equip 8 800 schools countrywide with modern ICT facilities.
“Access is, however, not enough if we do not develop ICT skills.
“For Zimbabwe to truly achieve Vision 2030, we must capacitate all our citizens with adequate ICT skills.
“There is no better place to start training than within our primary and secondary schools.
“Our intervention to digitalise Zimbabwe is not only limited to schools, as we have many other programmes that include setting up community information centres, installation of base stations in areas with poor network coverage and equipping of public finance management kiosks, among others.”
Online Reporter