The government of Zimbabwe says it will deliver free internet services to 400 schools while 180 more rural schools will have been connected by the end of 2021.
In her post-Cabinet briefing on Tuesday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said the schools will be provided with free data for nine months.
“The Ministry of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services wishes to accelerate the implementation of the National e-Learning Strategy through the provision of free internet services to 400 schools that already have connectivity but are encountering difficulties in paying monthly bandwidth subscriptions,” she said.
The schools will be provided with data for nine months. An additional 180 schools in rural communities will have been connected by the end of 2021 and will benefit from the same initiative.
Mutsvangwa explained that free internet services will also be provided at Community Information Centres and Community Village Information Centres for the benefit of pupils and members of the public.
“Taking into cognisance the financial hardships brought about by the COVID-19 outbreak, Cabinet wishes to advise the citizenry that all students, pupils and the general public using these facilities will enjoy free access to internet services at Community Information Centres and Community Village Information Centres for a period of nine months,” she added.
Members of the public will, however, continue to pay for the other services such as scanning, printing and photocopying being offered at these facilities.