Mthabisi Tshuma
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SIX more Zimbabwean schools have been connected to the internet under a partnership between the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and SES Satellites, bringing the total number of connected schools under the initiative to seven.
The schools are Chesa Primary School in Umguza District, Matabeleland North; Harawe Primary School in Masvingo District; St Michael’s Secondary School in Chipinge District, Manicaland; Gungwa Primary School in Mt Darwin District, Mashonaland Central; Gababe Primary School in Gokwe South District, Midlands; and St Boniface Primary School in Chegutu District, Mashonaland West.
The initiative, implemented under the ITU’s Partner2Connect programme, seeks to extend connectivity to underserved communities globally through satellite broadband and school-wide Wi-Fi.
In Zimbabwe, the programme is being implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of ICT, Postal and Courier Services, the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz) and the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.
The expanded connectivity is expected to give learners and teachers access to a wider range of digital learning resources, strengthening the use of educational technology in underserved communities.
Government has prioritised the digitalisation of schools, particularly in rural and remote areas, as part of broader efforts to promote equitable access to education and equip learners with digital skills in line with Vision 2030.
Potraz has also been using resources from the Universal Services Fund to extend internet connectivity to schools, healthcare facilities and other community institutions.
Satellite internet is particularly important in areas where fibre-optic infrastructure and mobile network coverage are limited, helping bridge the digital divide and expand access to online learning.
The initiative, branded #BDT4Impact, forms part of the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau’s efforts to accelerate digital transformation in communities with limited connectivity.
ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau director Dr Cosmas Zavazava said the latest connections marked progress towards expanding internet access in Zimbabwean schools.
“Another milestone in advancing school connectivity in Zimbabwe. Six more schools are now connected through the ITU and SES Satellites partnership, bringing the total to seven and moving us closer to our target of 10 schools in Zimbabwe in 2026.
“The newly connected schools are Harawe Primary, St. Michaels Secondary, Gungwa Primary, Gababe Primary, St. Boniface Primary and Chesa Primary. This marks further progress in implementing #Partner2Connect pledges. But connectivity is only the beginning. Through our work at ITU, we are also focused on digital skills, child online protection and enabling policies to help ensure that connectivity delivers meaningful educational opportunities for students and teachers,” said Dr Zavazava.
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