Govt to launch mobile digital literacy campaign
A NEW mobile digital literacy campaign, with a special focus on reaching remote areas and ensuring that no one is left behind, is being launched by the Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services Ministry from next month.
The campaign will involve providing digital education and support to communities across the country, with the goal of bringing technology and knowledge to everyone regardless of location or socio-economic status. Information Communication Technology,
Postal and Courier Services Minister Tatenda Mavetera said the programme was part of measures by the Second Republic to bridge the digital divide between rural and urban dwellers.
Speaking in the National Assembly last week while responding to questions from legislators about the Government’s strategies for promoting internet access in rural communities and digital literacy, Minister Mavetera said the campaign for mobile digital literacy would reach everyone.
“We are going to be having what we call digital ambassadors. It is a programme that we are starting, which will be launched beginning of March, where you are going to see us as Ministry of ICT together with our partners.”
Apart from the mobile digital literacy campaign, Minister Mavetera said the Government was planning to connect more than 3 000 schools to the internet through YahClick, once it pays off its US$850 000 debt to the internet service provider.
“We are hoping that before the end of March, we would have managed to settle that debt and at the same time, we are also hoping that we have got a plan to make sure that at least we are going to connect more than 3 000 schools in this coming year together with that same company.”
Government was also targeting to construct 300 base stations across the country especially for the rural population.
“It is something that we are working towards with the requisite budget, which I believe that as Parliament and together with us as a Ministry, we are going to have an adequate budget to also make sure that we work towards making sure that everyone can access the internet.”