Harare, (New Ziana) -The Zimbabwe government is moving to make Artificial Intelligence (AI) education compulsory in schools as part of efforts to equip learners with future-ready skills from an early age, a seniopr official has said.
Deputy Minister of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services Dingumuzi Phuti said this at the IndabaX AI Symposium held in Harare on Thursday.
The event, which brought together policymakers, tech professionals, academics, and other stakeholders, was themed “From Ground to Cloud, Powering Zimbabwe’s Future with Innovative AI Applications.”
Phuti said his Ministry, in collaboration with that of Primary and Secondary Education, plans to introduce mandatory training in AI, coding, and robotics at the primary and secondary school levels.
“The goal is to ensure that Zimbabwean learners are not just consumers, but creators of AI-driven solutions,” he said.
He emphasized that AI education is essential in positioning Zimbabwean youth to thrive in a fast-evolving digital landscape, where technological literacy is increasingly becoming fundamental, adding the government intends to shift learners from being passive users of technology to active designers and innovators of AI-powered systems.
“To this end, our goal is to create a populace not just literate in digital skills, but fluent in the language of the future,” he said.
The government is also scaling up existing digital training initiatives, including the Government Experience and Exchange Program which provides youth with hands-on exposure to emerging technologies and global best practices, said Phuti.
Delegates at the IndabaX AI Symposium lauded the government’s commitment to tech education and capacity-building, with the event featuring panel discussions, live demonstrations, and policy engagements aimed at integrating AI into national development goals.
Several speakers underscored the need for curriculum reform, teacher training, and infrastructure development to support the rollout of the AI program in schools.
The proposed reforms align with global trends where countries are increasingly embedding AI into educational systems to future-proof their economies and address skills gaps in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
If implemented, Zimbabwe would join a growing list of African nations taking proactive steps to embrace digital technology at the foundational level of education.
The Ministries involved are expected to begin consultations with stakeholders, including educators and curriculum developers, in the coming months.
New Ziana
