The ManicaPost
Tendai Gukutikwa
Post Reporter
THE Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) has pledged to avail a full year free internet connectivity to Nyanyadzi High School’s newly commissioned computer laboratory to help bridge the Information and Communication Technology gap between rural and urban schools.
Speaking on behalf of Potraz’s Director General, Dr Gift Calisto Machengete at the official handover of the computer building at the school this afternoon, Director of USF and Postal Services, Mr Kennedy Dewera said the gesture is part of their efforts to enhance computer and ICT development in schools.
The two-roomed computer science lab was constructed by the school and community in collaboration with Chimanimani Rural District Council and development partner, World Vision.
The laboratory will accommodate 50 learners at each given time.
Top of the range furniture, 15 computers and a printer were donated by development partner, World Vision, with promises that it will deliver the remaining 35 computers soon.
Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Nokuthula Matsikenyeri applauded the community, council and development partner for working together and achieving their vision.
She said computer education should be given special bias as a deliberate resolve to move with the times.
“This dovetails perfectly well with Vision 2030. ICT is now a cross-cutting area which will assist in the teaching and learning of other areas. Modern learning relies heavily on ICT and this gesture will, therefore, go a long way towards enhancing our children’s education. With this development, Nyanyadzi will never be the same again,” she said.
She thanked POTRAZ for their gesture to avail internet connectivity to the school, saying for the computers to be effectively used for research, the school needed a powerful WiFi system and electricity.
Minister Matsikenyeri encouraged the learners to fully utilise the facilities and internet connection.
“Remember that modern education is research0-based, reason it is very necessary to have these technological facilities. You have to create new knowledge from your research findings which forms the basis for national development,” she said.
World Vision operations officer, Mr Amon Matsongoni said the laboratory will enhance education for learners in Chimanimani and Zimbabwe at large.
“We contributed US$54 000 towards the construction and furnishing of this computer laboratory. This is in line with our organisation’s vision which enshrines that every child obtains life in its fullness. This is also in line with the country’s objectives of the National Development Strategy (NDS1), which is driving Government’s commitment towards an upper middle income economy by 2030,” he said.
