Online Reporter
Trust Freddy-Herald Correspondent
AT least 8 000 more schools are set to receive Starlink kits following a strategic handover of hardware from the Ministry of Information, Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services to the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.
The initiative is a centrepiece of the Presidential Internet Scheme, designed to dismantle the digital divide that has historically isolated rural and remote learning centres.
Speaking at the official handover of the kits recently, ICT Minister Tatenda Mavetera said the development was a culmination of the broader strategic partnership between the ministries of ICT, and Primary and Secondary Education.
“It also marks a critical milestone in Zimbabwe’s digital transformation agenda,” she said.
The minister added that the initiative is a strategic intervention aimed at building an inclusive, digitally-empowered education system, leaving no learner behind. The development is part of a Whole-of-Government approach, ensuring that education and digital technology converge to transform learners into confident digital citizens.
“This Whole-of-Government approach is what His Excellency, the President, Dr E. D. Mnangagwa, prescribed as one of the strategies towards the attainment of Vision 2030,” she said.
The Starlink kits represent a significant step forward in tackling one of the most persistent challenges in the country’s education system, which is connectivity.
For too long, geography has determined opportunity, with schools lacking fibre infrastructure or mobile network coverage remaining isolated from the global knowledge economy.
Added Minister Mavetera: “Through satellite-based connectivity, that barrier is now being decisively dismantled.”
The kits will enable schools to access digital learning platforms, virtual classrooms, online libraries, teacher training resources, and global educational content in real time. In practical terms, the kits will collapse distance and bring the world into the classroom, whether that classroom is in metropolitan Harare or in the most remote district of the country.
In his acceptance speech, Primary and Secondary Education Minister Dr Torerayi Moyo described the donation as a testament to the Second Republic’s commitment to enhancing digital education in all schools.
“In today’s fast-paced world, access to reliable internet connectivity is not just a luxury; it is a necessity for learning and growth.
“The introduction of these Starlink kits will revolutionise how our students access educational resources, conduct research and connect with their peers and educators, regardless of their geographical location,” he said.
Minister Moyo extended appreciation to President Mnangagwa for prioritising the expansion of internet connectivity within schools.
The initiative coincides with the Government’s rollout of ICT devices to disadvantaged rural schools, aimed at fostering blended learning environments. The distribution began in Manicaland and has been expanded to Matabeleland South.
Bolstered by a donation of 815 laptops, 708 projectors and 2 112 tablets from UNICEF, the Government is leveraging public-private partnerships to bridge the digital divide, providing students with the hardware and free Wi-Fi necessary for modern education.
