Zimbabwe

3,014

Connected schools

6,611

Unconnected schools

Approximately 31% of Zimbabwe’s primary and secondary schools have internet access. In rural areas, the majority are connected by ADSL or VSAT. 75% of the country’s 6,611 unconnected schools are primary schools.

Number of connected & unconnected schools: Ministry Of Primary And Secondary Education, Zimbabwe, 2020

Universal expansion to all schools provides a gateway to community connectivity.

Giga is supporting the cost-effective connection of 6,611 schools toward broader digital growth – an estimated GDP growth of +0.6 billion (1.4%).

“...all sectors of the economy and society at large will harness the power of ICT for the development of our nation.”

"Access to affordable ICTs including the right virtual platforms will make it possible for many learners to achieve their educational goals in an increasingly connected world."

Overcoming the Urban- Rural Digital Divide

Through the national ICT plan the government set the country on a path to become a knowledge-based society targeting ubiquitous connectivity by 2020. Strategic focusses included: closing the digital divide through rural coverage, improved electricity access, ICT skills development and policy streamlining

Ecosystem Investment in Digital Learning

Motivated by the coronavirus pandemic response a number of e-learning platforms have scaled or entered the market.

School Connectivity

The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (MoPSE) has pushed for internet connectivity across all schools in Zimbabwe and has extended support to 6,300 primary and secondary schools with private sector technical partnerships.

Giga has been working with Zimbabwe since February 2020. Some of Giga’s priority areas for collaboration in Zimbabwe include:

Mobilizing the financing to connect the 6,611 schools that currently lack connectivity.

Co-developing sustainable models for improving affordability of connectivity along with potential incentives for successful public-private partnerships

Working with ISPs and MNOs to identify opportunities to reduce data costs for schools and students.

Mapping through Project Connect to identify schools and refine the investment needs for unconnected schools

From schools to communities

Schools are often the centre of communities. Giga hopes to explore sustainable models to use the school as a hub to connect people in the local community. Connecting learners has never been more important than it is now, after schools in Zimbabwe closed in late March to prevent the spread of COVID-19.