Published by the government of Zimbabwe
3 March 2008
Harare — A partnership between Government and a private indigenous electronics company to promote the use of solar-powered computers in schools around the country is laudable.
Mukonitronics Pvt Ltd and the Government recently came up with this pilot project in schools, which should help cope with hydro electricity shortages as solar power becomes an alternative source of energy.
This development is coming on the back of challenges over power supplies that the country is facing, which have rendered computers in many schools, especially in rural areas idle.
President Mugabe has donated hundreds of computers to schools in cities, towns and rural areas to ensure that technology becomes the most affordable and effective way to educate young people and give them better job opportunities.
Exposing young people to computers will keep them abreast with information technology, which has become not only a medium of learning but also conducting business globally.
Today, it is sad that a lot of people enter college or the work place without having used a computer to an extent that they are even afraid of clicking the computer mouse.
Many places in remote areas either do not have electricity or if they have, they suffer disruption in supply because of power cuts or other faults caused by vandalism.
As a result of these situations, some of the computers will not work.
But with this pilot project, the feeling is that there should be no excuse for schools not to take lessons in computers because of power outages when we can actually harness solar energy.
Indeed, there is no doubt that solar power will make computers useful and sustainable, especially in remote areas.
While the cost to install solar power in schools may prove prohibitive, partnerships with companies should ensure that it becomes cost-effective in the long run.
Mukonitronics has taken the lead and we all hope that other companies will be encouraged to follow suit.
We are wondering what has become of a computer project for schools, which was launched a few years ago by the National University of Science and Technology in partnership with the Computer Aid International.
Many believed that this was a noble project aimed at empowering pupils but it appears it ended at the time it was launched.
Uganda is one example of other countries in Africa that have embraced the use of solar-powered computers in schools, particularly in the rural areas.
And in countries such as India, large local firms do not only donate computers to village schools, but they also sponsor solar power to run computers in the schools.
We believe that the corporate world has a big role to play in introducing computers in schools as part of their social responsibility.
The world has become a global village and it is necessary that every pupil becomes familiar with the world of computers, which are now a key tool of learning fast replacing the use of textbooks.
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Staying connected to the world outside Africa will remain key for the development of Africa. But it is not as easy as we expect. Yes, mobile phones are growing at a rate that shows that Africa uses technology in new and innovative ways – just give us a chance and we’ll show you the business opportunity. But why are we still so disconnected on the broader ICT wave swamping the world? We will only fall further behind if we don’t address this sooner rather than later. No more time to waste. More on this in my blog at http://angryafrican.wordpress.com/2008/02/08/staying-disconnected-in-africa /