Staff Writer
Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere says the rapid change in ICTs landscape requires creation of conducive and secure environment to attract investment.
Speaking at the commissioning of 12 Computer School Laboratories last week in Matebeleland South, Dr Muswere said there was no better place to start training than Primary and Secondary schools.
“Our Ministry has documented its plan to attain vision 2030 through the Smart Zimbabwe 2030 Masterplan.
“I am pleased to note that one of the focus areas of this master plan is smart education/e- learning,” Dr Muswere said.
Smart Education is the application of modern ICT (information communication technology) to not only facilitate learning in the classroom but virtually from any place and at any time.
“To this end, The Government of Zimbabwe’s through the Ministry of ICT, Postal and Courier Services and in close collaboration with The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has set up School ICT laboratories all over Zimbabwe to enable learners and their teachers to have access to ICT services and training.
“These facilities are platforms that are bringing ICTs and related services within affordable reach of previously marginalized and disadvantaged communities,” he said.
Dr Muswere said tor Zimbabwe to truly achieve vision 2030, there was need to capacitate citizens with adequate ICT skills.
“No nation can transform itself without first building the skills and capabilities of its current and future workforce.
“The facilities commissioned today are thus an important stride in building a new crop of ICT literate Zimbabweans in preparation for our attainment of vision 2030.
“With programmes and projects under the Smart Zimbabwe initiative, we will also take the lead in opening up Zimbabwe for investors and citizens alike through ICTs,” he said.
“Our interventions to digitise Zimbabwe are not only limited to primary and secondary schools as we have many other programs that include setting up community information centres, installation of base stations in areas with poor network coverage, equipping of public finance management kiosks among others.
Our clarion call to the nation and international community continues: ‘Zimbabwe is open for business’.”
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