ICTs anchor 4th industrial revolution
ZIMBABWE cannot achieve its development goals without investing significant financial and human capital resources in Information Communication Technology (ICTs) infrastructure, a Cabinet Minister has said.
Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere said this during last weekend’s whirlwind tour of Manicaland as he commissioned 11 schools’ ICT laboratories.
Said Dr Muswere said: “As the world gravitates towards the fourth industrial revolution, innovative information and communication technologies (ICTs) have become indispensable to our national development.
“Great countries are those that produce great people. A community that does not innovate cannot stay relevant in this contemporary dynamic world of novel 21st-century cutting edge technologies anchored on the bedrock of ICTs infrastructure.
“Emerging technologies such as big data analytics, the internet of things, artificial intelligence, machine learning and embedded systems’ full benefits can only be realised if we develop the requisite human capital starting within the school corridors where the future of a nation’s foundation is built on,” he said.
Dr Muswere said the future of the world is in ICT and the fourth industrial revolution will be anchored on ICTs.
“Zimbabwe can only be part of this revolution if we start arming ourselves with the right technological arsenal today. Technological arsenal is not equipment alone, but it is the right equipment given to trained and qualified hands.
“Our mission as a ministry is to transform Zimbabwe through the use of ICTs into a
knowledge-based society so as to enhance the country’s competitiveness in the global village. The ICT labs at the local schools will incubate and create the next generationof ICT geniuses from our midst, capable of coming up with ICT solutions that dovetail with Vision 2030 as enunciated by President Mnangagwa,” said Dr Muswere.
He said the ICT Ministry is collaborating with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to raise the quality of education in the country for present and future generations through rolling out ICT infrastructure solutions in schools.
Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority Director General, Dr Gift
Machengete said the ICT lab per school programme is an important milestone aimed at complementing Government’s efforts in bringing about the much-needed ICT inclusivity in education.
“Inclusive ICT access in education is one of our goals as the ICT regulator as it entails putting the right to ICT use in education into action by reaching out to all learners, respecting their diverse needs, abilities and characteristics and eliminating all forms of discrimination in the e-learning environment.
“The digital divide between the haves and the have-nots has been and continues to be a huge hindrance to the achievement of this goal. However, through initiatives such as the computer lab per school programme, we shall indeed pull down the divisive wall and ensure equity in ICT access and use,” said Dr Machengete. He added: “Blended education where learning that takes place through a combination of physical and online classes has proven to be the most effective method in pedagogy. While the teacher’s presence is vital for instant learner to teacher and teacher to learner feedback, virtual learning exposes learners to experiences that will otherwise be beyond the classroom walls.
“Because of its positive effects on the learning experience, the blended education model is now commonplace at affluent private schools around the country. With Government efforts to bring ICTs to every school child, we are moving closer and closer to having such world class benchmarks in rural schools as well, such that no child is left behind. The ICT lab per school programme is, therefore, a huge step in that direction.”
He, however, called for responsible use of ICTs by the learners.
“It should be noted, however, that ICTs if used irresponsibly, could bring more harm than good for the young ones. In this regard, Child Online Protection becomes key. The question we all need to be asking ourselves and introspecting on is, how best can we protect children from the dangers and harm that come with access to internet?
“As the authority responsible for data protection, POTRAZ will be rolling out programmes aimed at ensuring internet access related risks in schools, homes and the society at large are mitigated. In the meantime, I urge school authorities to be on guard against ICT abuse and I also urge children to report any form of cyber abuse to authorities,” said Dr Machengete.