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Wadzanai Rutsate Business Reporter
Financial services company Old Mutual Zimbabwe last week gave 13 computers, a heavy duty printer and Wi-Fi connection to Mzilikazi Technology Centre in Bulawayo. Speaking at the handover, Old Mutual chief executive Mr Jonas Mushosho said technology could be the answer to the perennial shortage of textbooks in Zimbabwe and was poised to drastically transform the country’s education.
Mr Mushosho said technology centres helped in mitigating the shortage of textbooks students were facing.
“The Mzilikazi Technology Centre and others that Old Mutual has established across the country, will also help mitigate the acute shortage of textbooks that students in Zimbabwe face. It is a perennial problem that has haunted our country for years, but those with access to Internet can find that there is a whole new world for research out there. Internet technology has monetary benefits as well. Through the use of open, free educational tools on the web, the dependence on expensive paper textbooks can be reduced.
“This bodes well for a world that is increasingly focused on sustainable development, with particular focus on preserving the environment. It would be good for mankind if the internet helped in minimising the use of paper, which comes from trees,” he said.
Mzilikazi Technology Centre was opened in 2010 when Old Mutual invested into the project.
Speaking at the same occasion, Bulawayo Town Clerk Mr Middleton Nyoni urged teachers to encourage students to use information technology in their research. “Technology promotes students to achieve academic grades and easy access of textbooks and online newspapers”.
The technology centre will help people in Thorngrove, Nguboyenja and Makokoba suburbs.
Online Reporter
derick.khumalo