Parly Committee on fact-finding tour

Runesu Gwidi in GUTU
The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) has embarked on a countrywide week-long fact-finding tour to assess progress on computerisation initiatives in schools.

Parliamentarians are understood to be targeting digital projects funded through the Universal Service Fund (USF).
Government, through the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz), has so far distributed 10 000 computers and provided internet connectivity to 1 300 schools countrywide under a programme dubbed, “Connect a School, Connect a Community”.

Chairman of the committee Mr Charlton Hwende on Monday said after visiting Gutu High and Mukaro High schools, parliamentarians noted a considerable number of challenges facing schools.

“Potraz did a sterling job in their IT equipment distribution and setting up of information kiosks across the nation,” said Mr Hwende.

“However, we have noticed a number of challenges in schools. You will note that some schools do not have IT teachers, hence a strong need to speed up staff capacitation. In addition, others were provided computers and printers, but they don’t have Internet connection.

Parliamentarians were also due to visit Shingai Primary School under Chief Zimuto in Masvingo, Sakubva High 1, Zamba, Sakubva High 2, Hlabisa and St Noah schools, all in Mutare.

Potraz’s head of consumer and publicity affairs Mr George Manyaya, who is travelling with the legislators, said the USF played a pivotal role in financing postal and telecommunication projects.

“The USF is playing a critical role in the financing of new Government postal and telecommunication services and extension of old ones, which we are implementing,” he said.