20 Mar 2019

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transport and Communications, Mr Kabelo Ebineng, says government is committed to promoting digitilisation across both the public and private sectors. 

He said government’s plan was to ensure availability of information to advance service delivery as well as to nurture domestic Information Communication Technology sector and create jobs.

Officiating on behalf of the Minister of Transport and Communications at launch of the broadband internet connectivity and schools computerisation project in Lokgwabe recently, Mr Ebineng explained that the commitment was anchored on the country’s aspiration captured in the National Broadband Strategy (NBS).

The strategy, he said, was intended to improve internet penetration throughout the country to ensure that at least 90 per cent of the population had access to high speed broadband connectivity at an affordable cost.

In their efforts to expand broadband coverage, he said Botswana Communications Authority (BOCRA) in collaboration with Mascom wireless connected 32 primary schools in Kgalagadi District. 

Mr Ebineng said the project was conducted by collaborative efforts between Ministry of Transport and Communications, Ministry of Basic Education (MOBe) and the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD) with a view of providing internet and ICT equipment to all primary schools in the Kgalagadi District as well as to upgrade all mobile base stations in the area to high speed capacity of 3G or better.

He, however, decried that some of the school infrastructure was not ready to accommodate expectations of the 21st century learning environment and urged MoBE to work round the clock to align schools to international standards where ICT drive the school curriculum.

In addition, he said ICT infrastructure deployment would also enable the community members in Kgalagadi District to participate effectively in the global economy.

He called them to have keen interest in learning on how to use the ICT gadgets to explore and exploit business opportunities which could help them to diversify the sustenance of their livelihoods from over reliance on subsistence farming to ICT based business opportunities. 

In his remarks, Kgosi Clarkson Molatole of Lokgwabe appreciated government’s efforts to promote digital inclusion by reaching out to economically disadvantaged communities.

He said internet usage was growing at an alarming rate therefore, the move to connect their schools would help to improve the school’s academic performances as well as encourage communities to participate in the technological world.

Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of local Government and Rural Development, Mr Mpho Morapedi said despite the fact that his ministry was faced with financial constraints, they would ensure that they upgrade the school infrastructures to create conducive ICT learning infrastructures.

He also appreciated that the P87million project was delivered on time and that it managed to create job opportunities for the local ICT companies.

For her part, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Basic Education, Ms Bridgete John, appreciated the noble gesture from all the stakeholders who made the schools internet connectivity project a success. 

She said that it would support them to mould the 21st century learners with easiness and that the ministry would connect all the 755 primary schools in the country.

She said they would also ensure that the 12 438 primary school teachers across the country also undertake ICT trainnings to enhance their teaching skills.

 In his closing remarks, Deputy Chairperson for Kgalagadi district Council also Lokgwabe-Tshane Councillor, Mr Aidoo Leshope appreciated the gesture saying it came handy, since 68 Information Technology officers’ positions were created in different primary schools in Mabutsane, Ghanzi and Kgalagadi Districts.

He added that, most of the schools were often faced with shortage of text books, and through the use of ICTs, leaners would have easy accessibility to additional materials. Ends