Zimbabwe’s government seeks to spur ICT revolution countrywide by ensuring majority of its citizens become computer literate.
The government aims to facilitate e-learning programmes in more than 8,000 schools in the nation. The project will ensure all schools have computers in addition to training facilities and electricity supply.
In an effort to empower the public, President Robert Mugabe last week unveiled the second Science, Technology and Innovation policy.
As part of the nation’s ICT policy, the unveiled strategy aims at reaching out to all school-leavers to equip them with ICT skills.
Zimbabwe’s information communication technology minister Nelson Chamisa said that following the high ICT across the world, the era of chalkboard in school is over and it’s a matter of time before ICT education becomes available to all.
He further said cabinet ministers were currently leading as an example in acquiring ICT education and quoted a 50 percent increase in ICT literacy.
The e-learning programme was first established at Chogugudza Secondary School and Landa John Nkomo High School, in Mashonaland East and ManqeTsholotsho in that order.
A number of international organisations have in the past encouraged ICT revolution the in the country. According to a report released by Information for Development programme (InfoDev) on a research on information and communication technology education in Africa, more than 48 countries in Africa have ICT education and curricular policy in their national ICT policy.
Organization in ICT comprising Kenya ICT Trust Fund and Egypt Education Initiative have partnered with Africa’s Development (ISPAD) to implement NEPAD e-Schools Demonstration project for ICT innovation in Universities and colleges.
Also, the report indicates an increase in the fibre-optic and wireless Internet connection which experts suggest that it will impact positively in the socio-economic status of African countries.
infoDev is funded by World Bank, it focuses on using ICT to fight poverty with the main objective of improving the economy of the developing countries.
