ZANZIBAR expects to connect 100 schools to a major communications network, boosting access to learning materials by improving ICT infrastructure.

Lela Muhammed Mussa, the Education and Vocational Training minister, made this affirmation at the signing ceremony of a partnership agreement with the Zanzibar Communications Infrastructure Agency (ZICTIA) for the installation of the communications network in the schools.

She said this initiative will address challenges such as the shortage of teachers, limited access to ICT equipment and the lack of technology for students.

The Zanzibar government seeks to bring about reforms in the education sector, with ICT improvements being as key area of focus, she said, praising President Dr Hussein Ali Mwinyi and his team for approving the funds. 

The World Bank is extending a $1.5m credit for the project, with Dolfen Co. pledging $0.5m while the government committed over $3m to the project, she stated.

She referred to remarks by the president that funding was not the issue as the challenge lies in correctly implementing existing plans. The new infrastructure would greatly help to reduce the shortage of science teachers, no longer relying on traditional chalk-and-board methods and thus capable of reaching more students, she said

Teachers in science and ICT centres or schools so equipped need to embrace the new technologies, using the facilities to prepare lessons and teach students creatively, she urged.

The ministry expects that ZICTIA completes the work within the agreed timeframe while Dolfen delivers agreed upon high quality equipment, she further noted, while permanent secretary Khamis Abdalla Said elaborated on the project.

The agreement is intended to connect some schools to the national network with the provision of ‘O data,’ with the ICT-equipped centres receiving educational content prepared and stored by the ministry.

It will enable schools to access the content without having to spend money on internet services, he explained, while Hawwah Ibrahim Mbaye, the Works, Communications and Transport deputy permanent secretary expressed satisfaction that ICT is now reaching communities as the government envisaged.

Shukuru Awadhi Suleiman, the ZICTIA director general, praised the ministry for commitment to connect Zanzibar schools to the national communications network.

The project will be completed within 24 weeks as agreed, he stated, urging the ministry to expedite the signing of agreements for the second phase.

He also raised the need for proper maintenance of equipment as educational facility to ensure that teachers and students alike benefit from the new infrastructure.

\He praised the government for allocating 71 hectares of land to the agency for the construction of a tech city in the Fumba area to support the technological revolution.

Mbwana Yahya Mwinyi, the ministerial ICT director, said that eventually all schools will be connected with the network, citing 11 science innovation centres and 20 ICT centres.

There are also government schools, including 26 new primary and secondary schools that all need to be effectively pegged to the communications network, he added.