Zim ‘entering ICT revolution’

GOVERNMENT

Zimbabwe’s government says the country is entering an ICT revolution, starting with skills development and mobile penetration.

President Robert Mugabe last week launched the country’s second Science, Technology and Innovation Policy, which aims to make ICT an integral part of individual and national development.

President Mugabe said Zimbabwe had not been left behind in the race for development, and noted that mobile phone penetration in Zimbabwe topped 70%.

Part of the new STI policy includes equipping all school leavers with ICT skills.

With a goal of rolling out ICTs to all of the country’s more than 8,000 schools, the government has launched the government’s e-learning programme at Chogugudza Secondary School in Mashonaland East and the Landa John Nkomo High School in Manqe, Tsholotsho. It is envisaged that all schools will be equipped with PCs, training and power supplies.

Information Communication Technology Minister Nelson Chamisa said ICTs were taking the place of chalkboards at schools.

Chamisa noted recently that the need for ICT education extended to all, and with this in mind, Cabinet Ministers were leading the way by undergoing ICT training.

Chamisa, who is actively driving ICT awareness in Government, said: “In a digital world, you cannot have non-digital Ministers.” He said the number of ICT-literate Ministers in government had increased to 50%.