Story by Gay Matambo
MORE than 1 800 learners at Chisuma Primary School in Chipinge are set to benefit from improved digital learning following the commissioning of a computer laboratory aimed at expanding access to technology in education.
The facility, commissioned on Wednesday at Chisuma Primary School in Mahenye, marks a major milestone in Government’s drive to strengthen digital literacy and modernise learning infrastructure in schools, particularly in previously marginalised communities.
Built through a community-led initiative with Government support, the laboratory is expected to transform learning by providing pupils with practical information and communication technology (ICT) skills and access to online educational resources.
Learners said the facility has already improved their learning experience by reducing dependence on limited textbooks and opening access to digital research tools.
“Finding information for our projects was very difficult because we did not have enough textbooks. With this new digital lab, we can now use the internet to research our homework, watch educational videos and study for our final examinations. It has made learning more exciting for us here in Mahenye,” a pupil said.
Parents and community members welcomed the development, saying it would help bridge the digital divide between rural and urban schools.
“As parents in Mahenye, we are overjoyed. For years, our children only saw computers in pictures or heard about them on the radio. Today, they are actually sitting down and typing. We thank the community members who came together to start this initiative and the Government for supporting us. It shows that even though we are far from the big cities, our children are not forgotten,” a community member said.
School head Mr Douglas Muchineripi said the achievement reflected strong collaboration between the school and the community.
“This milestone is a direct testament to what happens when a community refuses to wait for things to be done for them. As an institution, we are deeply indebted to the parents and local leadership who initiated this project from the ground up,” he said.
Commissioning the laboratory, Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Honourable Angeline Gata said the initiative aligns with Government’s heritage-based curriculum, which prioritises practical and technology-driven learning.
“We are transforming our education sector from mere theory to practical, hands-on industrial and technological competence. This computer laboratory is a physical manifestation of our heritage-based curriculum, designed to produce learners who are solution-driven and digitally literate from primary school level,” she said.
The development comes as Government intensifies efforts to expand digital literacy and ICT infrastructure across schools as part of broader education modernisation initiatives.
