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The Minister of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier services, Dr. Jenfan Muswere on Tuesday commissioned two information communication technology (ICT) labs for Domboramwari High School and Epworth Primary School, a development aimed at assisting all learners to have easy access to and knowledge of ICTs not only in the classroom but virtually from any place and at any time.
Officiating during the commissioning of ICT labs, the Minister said the development was to ensure that no one is left behind in the digital age and during the unprecedented times posed by the global Covid-19 pandemic.
“We are all aware of the impact of Covid-19 on our day-to-day lives including the lives of our school-going children. The government has responded by coming up with digital solutions such as e-learning – a solution pivoted on the ability of our school-going learners to access ICT equipment and internet connectivity,” he said.
This is in line with the National Development Strategy (NDS)1 which identifies a digital economy as one of the pillars for the attainment of vision 2030.
“The creation of a digital economy will be achieved only if we create universal access to ICTs for all our citizens regardless of their location. Access is, however, not enough if we do not develop ICT skills. The development of any Nation is founded on human capital development. This means that our ability to attain vision 2030 as enunciated by President Mnangagwa rests on how well trained our people are.
“Any training that does not involve learners in our institutions of learning is futile as it is not forward-looking. The provision of ICT equipment to schools is, therefore, a priority if we are to achieve vision 2030.”
Minister Muswere highlighted that the Ministry has come up with The SMART Zimbabwe 2030 Master Plan in line with the NDS 1.
“The Master Plan seeks to transform the country through the use of ICTs so that Zimbabwe attains its Vision of becoming an Upper Middle-income economy by 2030. A major component of the Smart Zimbabwe Masterplan is Smart Education / eLearning.
“The ICT Labs we have commissioned today are, therefore, a gateway for Epworth to the world and they are also a route marker as Zimbabwe forges its way towards attaining an Upper Middle Economy Status by the year 2030.”
He said the Ministry remains committed to not only equipping schools with ICT labs but also to connecting everyone to ICT through initiatives such as Community Information Centres, PFMS Kiosks, and the training of individuals in ICT usage.