The Sunday Mail
Online Reporter
At least 400 schools across the country will receive free internet services as part of Government efforts to accelerate the implementation of the National e-Learning Strategy.
Speaking during the post-Cabinet briefing yesterday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said the initiative was going to benefit schools that are currently failing to pay their monthly bandwidth subscriptions.
“The Ministry of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services wishes to accelerate the implementation of the National e-Learning Strategy through the provision of free internet services to 400 schools that already have connectivity but are encountering difficulties in paying monthly bandwidth subscriptions.
“The schools will be provided with data for nine months. An additional 180 rural schools will have been connected by the end of 2021, and will benefit from the same initiative,” she said.
Minister Mutsvangwa said Government will meet all operational expenses inclusive of staff remuneration.
“Taking into cognizance the financial hardships brought about by the Covid-19 outbreak, Cabinet wishes to advise the citizenry that all students, pupils and the general public using these facilities will enjoy free access to internet services at Community Information Centers and Community Village Information Centres for a period of nine months,”
The National e-Learning Programme that was launched last year will be complemented by the UNICEF GIGA Schools Connectivity projects.
The GIGA Schools connectivity project is a response to the Covid-19 pandemic by UNICEF and the International Telecommunications Union.
