Airtel connects three additional school digital hubs with free internet

In an ongoing project called Connecting Classrooms between the United Kingdom and Zambia, and locally executed in partnership with the British Council, Airtel Zambia has connected 3 more schools  in Chirundu, Siavonga and Kabwe with digital hubs that have free internet access (capped at between 5GB and 15GB). This is towards a goal of connecting 15 digital hubs by the end of March 2016.

More than 5000 pupils have access to these digital hubs at these 5 connected schools:

• Matero Girls in Lusaka
• Chilanga Primary School in Chilanga
• Neem Tree Primary School in Kabwe
• Siavonga Primary School in Siavonga
• Chirundu Secondary School in Chirundu.

Airtel Networks Zambia Plc. Managing Director Mr. Peter Correia said “The high-speed broadband access provided by Airtel guarantees teachers and students limitless new educational opportunities,” according to a statement from Airtel.

He added that because ICT education was now a requirement for all schools in Zambia, Airtel remained committed to supporting the Government agenda in providing ‘ICTs for all’ through the Ministry of Education.

“Digital Hubs in schools serve as ICT centres for not just teachers and pupils but also for the wider communities. We would like to emphasise that Airtel is committed to bridging the digital divide especially among vulnerable communities,” Mr Correia said.

And British Council Zambia Country Director, Mr Wayne Harper said “The British Council is delighted to partner with Airtel in the provision of ICT in the digital hubs that have been set up in various schools in Zambia. Access to ICT in schools and its subsequent use in learning and teaching enables international engagement, helping teachers and students access a wide range of teaching and learning resources through our interactive schools online platform.”

Mr Harper added that connectivity was one of the major challenges that had been affecting the utilisation of the hubs but with this partnership in place, Airtel will be providing free data between 5GB and 15 GB per month to the various digital hubs.