SCHOOLS in Masvingo Province have received more than 2 000 computers as the
Government seeks to boost the uptake of Information Communication Technology
(ICT).

Reporting on the successes by the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory
Authority (POTRAZ) Director General Gift Machengete, at the joint commemorations
of the World Post Day and the International Day of Universal Access to Information,
said at least 117 schools have benefited from the e-learning and the computer per
lab school programme.

“In terms of e-learning 67 schools in Masvingo province have received a total of 800
computers under the e-learning programme. Further to these 50 schools in the
province have received a total of 1 500 computers under the ongoing computer lab
per school programme,” he said.

In ensuring that no one and no place is left behind, the authority has embarked on an
ICT programme for People with Disabilities with Margaret Hugo/Copota School for
the blind getting fusion software licences.

“In the interest of inclusivity in the access of ICT, the authority is running an ICT
programme for Persons with Disability, where centres housing Persons with
Disabilities and special needs are equipped with assistive ICT software.

“In this province, the authority has assisted Margaret Hugo Secondary School for the
blind with 20 fusion software licences. The authority has also supported Great
Zimbabwe University with 10 desktop computers for use in disability programmes,”
he said.

Besides equipping schools, Potraz set up 13 Community Information Centres (CIC)
at ZimPost offices and has deployed four containerised village information centres. It
is also working on constructing four more CICs.

“Some of the established kits have training facilities, where community members
receive free training in basic computer appreciation so that they also participate in
the digital economy. The authority has erected four shared base station towers.”
In an interview, Dr Machengete said they have encouraged operators to put
measures against vandalism with local communities to look out for vandals.

“As far as vandalism of ICT equipment is concerned, we encourage the locals
especially, to ensure the equipment is not vandalised. We encouraged also the
police to make sure that those who are caught vandalising ICT equipment are taken
to book. As Potraz, we have encouraged the operators to put in place measures to
protect their equipment. Some have already started guarding their equipment to
make sure that vandalism is contained,” he said.