Muswere Offers Equal Digital Learning Opportunities By Launching Computer Labs @24 Schools in Manicaland

Muswere Offers Equal Digital Learning Opportunities By Launching Computer Labs @24 Schools in Manicaland

The Ministry of ICT, Postal and Courrier Services working closely with the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe ( Potraz ) has offered equal learning Opportunities through digital empowerment targeting 75% internet penetration by 2025.

The government of Zimbabwe has so far equiped over 1 000 schools with modern elearning facilities and ICT labs last year alone.Zanu PF Member of Parliament (MP) for Makoni West who is also the Minister of Information, Communication, Technology (ICT), Postal and Courier Services Dr Jenfan Muswere this week commissioned computer laboratories at the 24 rural schools in Rusape, Makoni West province.

Speaking at Dewedzo High School, Dr Muswere said the computer laboratories will connect the unconnected to the digital world and help develop the country as it moves towards attaining Vision 2030 through the Smart Zimbabwe 2030 Master Plan.

In an exclusive interview with TechnoMag, Minister Muswere said,
“So the Inclusive approach ensures that all children in HARARE, in Binga have got equal access.All the students and the learners also have an equal opportunity through digital empowerment.”

The computer laboratories were commissioned at Bvekerwa Primary School, 2
Chamakumbu Secondary School, 3, Chemarima Secondary School, 4
Chiduku Primary School, 5 Chitsva Secondary School, 6
Chiundu High Schoool, 7
Chiwetu St. Lawrence Primary School, 8
Chizawana Primary School, 9
Dewedzo High School, 10
Gunda Primary School, 11
Gurure Primary School, 12
Holy Name Matsika Primary School, 13
Manonga Secondary School, 14
Maungwe Primary School, 15
Mutoko St. Vincent Primary School, 16
Nerwande Primary School, 17
Nyahawa Secondary School, 18
Ruhwerumwe Secondary School, 19
Ruwombwe Secondary School, 20
Shangwe Primary School, 21
St. Bartholomew Chiware Primary School, 22
St. Therese High School, 23 Tswatswa St. Bedes Primary School
, and 24th
Zindoga Primary School.

Dr Muswere added that they are also installing the necessary infrastructure to ensure the program attains its intended target.

The Ministry of ICT is working hand in glove with Potraz for the attainment of government digital goals for learners countrywide and this week it was rural Rusape’s turn.

The commissioning of the computer laboratories is part of the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), which recognises that the creation of a digital economy will be key in the realisation of national priorities and overall socio-economic development.

NDS1 identifies ICTs as a key enabler of economic development and the entrenchment of ICTS across all national development strategies and as critical for the attainment of universal access by 2030.

Dr Muswere added that interventions to digitise Zimbabwe are not only limited to primary and secondary schools as they 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.

In total over 87 laboratories have been commissioned under the programme since the start of the year countrywide.Potraz and the Ministry are ensuring President Mnangagwa’s National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) comes to fruition earlier than anticipated.

Recently, 12 computer laboratories were commissioned at 12 rural schools in Matabeleland South. The schools commissioned with computer laboratories were Tshazi Primary, Stanmore Primary, Garanyemba Secondary, Ntepe Secondary, Selonga Secondary, Buvuma High School, Mkhalipe Secondary, Nhwali High, St Joseph Secondary, Vhembe High School, Majini Primary and Siyoka Secondary School.

The 720 computers donated at the 24 rural schools in Rusape create resilience and long-term sustainability in education by making sure that no learner is left behind, especially in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The level of development to be achieved in the country should be uplifted and utilised in primary and high schools, universities and colleges by equipping children with engineering skills to produce what the country needs ICT related.

Each school received 30 laptops.

“At the same time all the teachers are also Capacitated to teach the necessary digital schools.

“So end of last year a total of more than 1000 schools were equiped with ICT labs,” said Minister Muswere.