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The programme launched at Chogugudza Primary School in Goromonzi District of Mashonaland East will spread to 100 more schools under the pilot project.
Known also as the Presidential eLearning Programme, it follows the success of the Presidential Computerisation Programme, which saw President Mugabe donate at least 10 computers to each secondary school in Zimbabwe.
While the programme was perceived to be a political gimmick, the Presidential Computerisation Programme has moved a step further through the introduction of elearning in schools.

The programme is part of Government’s Public Sector Reform and Modernisation, which falls under the Results-based Management System.
It brings on board elearning software solutions to complement the benefits of the Presidential Computerisation Programme.
Government has identified 100 primary and secondary schools for the projects.

The elearning programme implementation will also include communities to create a sense of ownership among the people.
It will also introduce through the assistance of the Indian government the PanAfrican eNetwork which will entail the implementation of TeleEducation at the University of Zimbabwe and TeleHealth at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals.
Government will introduce the Hole-in-the-Wall Education Pilot Project earmarked for the poor youths in both rural and urban areas.

Addressing thousands gathered at the official launch yesterday President Mugabe said the computerisation programme, which was targeted at secondary schools will move to primary schools.
The programme, he said, was targeted at schools with electricity but will move to those that have managed to install solar energy.
“We have distributed computers to many schools but these should not be like typewriters.
“The computers should be on the internet through the satellites installed above so that we access more information about the various subjects across the world.”

President Mugabe said the elearning programme will assist teachers in their work for they would get information on  internet.
He said the programme will move to all schools through the initiatives of the corporate world working with his office.
“We did not give computers to primary schools because there was no budget for the programme and everything was coming from donations.”

President Mugabe also handed over 210 computers to 21 schools in Mashonaland East province.
He urged the local leadership including MPs to use the Constituency Development Fund to complement the programme.
“We want to build an educated nation and build a legacy throughout the world. Every Zimbabwean child should be computer literate,” he said.

He said: “Encouraged by the Presidential Computerisation Programme, the first successful step of transforming Zimbabwe into an information society, we have now decided to go a gear up and add value to the initial programme by introducing a new dimension to it, this time, in the form of an eLearning Programme.”
President Mugabe said Government, since 1980, has always been committed to the development of quality education.

“It is common knowledge that the products of our education system have often acquitted themselves so well in their various fields of specialisation that they are sought after the world over.

“Because the products of our education system have been constant source of pride, we want to continue to maintain, cherish and guard jealously our reputation of being the education ‘torch-bearers’ regionally and internationally.”

President Mugabe said the eLearning Programme is         envisaged to provide online services to all Government departments.
“Time has come for all public institutions, be they local Government authorities, parastatals, State enterprises and other line ministries, to adopt egovernment in order to achieve efficiency and effectiveness,” he said.

President Mugabe said the programme will harness the co-operation of alternative energy companies and fully utilise the abundant solar energy in Zimbabwe.
The eLearning programme will see the establishment of computer laboratories and incorporate installation of its content and provision of internet connectivity.

The programme will also lead to the development of eeducation internet infrastructure that will enable Government to interact with schools through broadband internet connectivity.

It will also see the development of websites and web-based applications while enabling applications such as online registration of students, administration of examinations, library research and interaction between school administration and others stakeholders.

President Mugabe through the Ministry of Information Communication Technology handed over a computer laboratory with 84 state-of-the-art computers.
All the computers are connected to internet.
Chogugudza School has 1 700 pupils.