ECOZ Takes Digitalisation to Schools

Patricia Mashiri

In an initiative aimed at equipping Zimbabwean schools with the latest Information and Communication Technology tools, the Education Coalition of Zimbabwe — a network of organisations that advocates for inclusive education — in partnership with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, has been implementing a project titled Digitalise Schools to Transform Education in Zimbabwe.

The project’s objective is to ensure the digital transformation of Zimbabwe’s education system by advocating for environment-friendly, world-class digital learning solutions. These include connectivity, digital devices, affordable educational content, and access to data for all schools.

A pilot project was carried out in four districts: Umguza, Nkayi, Mhondoro Ngezi, and Zvimba.

Speaking during a media engagement, ECOZ Programmes Manager Wadzanayi Chitiga said they were pleased that the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education had begun to appreciate the importance of ICT and had developed a framework related to ICT integration in education.

“With support from GIZ, we've managed to carry out a pilot project assessing the status of ICT in schools. We learned that different strategies are being used to ensure that children can learn effectively and that teachers are empowered to deliver lessons using tools such as whiteboards and various edtech solutions,” she said.

“As we conducted the pilot, we realised that a whole-of-government approach is essential to ensure education and training for trainers. Parents also play a critical role in ensuring that ICT gadgets are available in schools. From our experience in the four pilot districts, we saw that school development committees were instrumental in getting their schools connected.”

Chitiga also stressed the importance of education around online safety, especially in light of the increased risk of online harassment.

Mutsawashe Mvududu, the DigSTEinZ Project Officer, emphasised the need for ongoing advocacy to ensure that every school benefits from ICT development.

“We need to continue supporting the harmonisation of the national ICT policy and e-learning strategy through further consultations and collaboration. Refresher trainings for teachers are also necessary, involving more participants and follow-up on action plans,” she said.

While ICT brings significant benefits to learners, Mvududu warned of potential risks associated with online platforms, including exposure to harmful content, cyberbullying, inappropriate material, and the risk of exploitation. She highlighted the need for protective measures to ensure that school children are safe while learning online.