The ManicaPost
Ray Bande Senior Reporter—
SCHOOLS across the country have been challenged to prioritise the acquisition of computers ahead of luxurious buses to enable students to learn more effectively by providing them with access to a wide range of new information.
Speaking during the official opening of the Nyanga Community Information Centre (CIC) last Friday, the Minister for Information Communication and Technology Cde Supa Mandiwanzira said though buses are needed in schools, computers have more value to students as they enable them to have more informed and more profitable access to new knowledge and skills.
“I think it is wise for schools around the country to prioritise the acquisition of computers for pupils than buses. If you look at it closely buses in schools are not always being used yet students now need computers every day.
“We are not saying transport is not important. No. It is important, but we are simply saying computers have more value to learners than buses. After all some students complete their primary or secondary education without even using the school bus,” said Minister Mandiwanzira.
Government is intensifying its internet access and connectivity drive after opening more than 250 Community Information Centres across the country.
Minister Mandiwanzira said even though the Government is way behind its target to cover every part of the country due to the scarcity of foreign currency, the initiative to construct more CICs is ongoing.
“I am happy that the journey to bring connectivity to every part of the country continues and we are witnessing yet another positive development in that regard.
‘‘We already have more than 250 CICs across the country and we hope to have many more in the near future.
“We are aware that we are way behind our target in terms of the Community Information Centres due to the scarcity of foreign currency but the initiative to construct more CICs is ongoing,” he said.
The CICs are being constructed with the Universal Services Fund (USF).
The USF is a pool of financial contributions made by all telecoms operators in Zimbabwe which is collected and managed by the telecoms regulator, Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ).
Operators contribute a percentage of their gross revenues towards the USF with the understanding that it will be used to facilitate investments in areas such as remote parts of Zimbabwe where operators might neglect their efforts because of weak business cases.
CICs are proving to be popular with distance university and college students as well as teachers across the country.
CICs Involve the renovation and construction of facilities in Post Offices across the country to create Information Centres where the surrounding communities would access internet for various ICT services. These included the provision of computers and the related free training of the community members.
All provinces in Zimbabwe have benefited and continue to benefit from this initiative.
