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ICT should be improved in rural areas

by BustopTV

By Sukuoluhle Ndlovu

Masvingo – Students in rural areas where there is a poor internet connectivity have found out it difficult to use the virtual classrooms that were introduced due to the Covid-19 global pandemic.

Masvingo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Ezra Chadzamira said in some parts of the country learners are failing to access educational material available on the internet.

He urged the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) to work towards improving the internet connection in Masvingo’s remote areas.

“More ICT infrastructure development in some of our remote areas in Chivi, Mwenezi and Chiredzi, E-Learning during the time of Covid -19 pandemic has not taken off as expected due to poor connectivity,” said Chadzamira.

He was speaking during the official opening of the Mashava community Information Centre last week.

“The rural industrialization needs to have a vital ICT infrastructure and related issues. The Community Information Centres are being set across in the country are necessary in ensuring that no one is left behind and there should be no discrimination, the rural and urban must be at par when it comes to connectivity,” he said.

The rural population consists of 70 percent of the total population in the country hence they should never be sidelined.

The POTRAZ Director, Gift Machengete said they are making sure everyone has a good internet connection.

“We are rolling out community centres to different parts in the country to make sure that no one is left behind especially in this virtual world we are now living in. We want to make sure that the rural communities are at par with those in the cities in terms of access to information as everyone has the right to information.

We want to make sure we promote business, education and advance their livelihoods. Those in the urban might get access and this might not be the story for those in the rural,” he said.

Access to ICT is now a basic need for everyone as the world is going digital especially now during the Covid–19 pandemic where physical contact is discouraged.

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