Airtel and Huawei partner to bring technology to Chibombo Schools
In a bid to continue helping supplement Government efforts in the promotion of Information Communication Technology (ICT) in schools in Zambia, Airtel Networks Zambia Plc. Has partnered with Huawei Zambia has donated 10 (ten) desktop computers valued at K60, 000 to rural based Mashikili and Shiyala schools located in Chibombo District.
The two schools with a combination of over 1000 pupils have been facing challenges with accessing ICT tools since the introduction of Information Communication Technology (ICT) as a subject in schools.
Airtel Networks Zambia Plc Managing Director, Mr. Peter Correia said the donation was made after a survey was done in the area and the two schools had been shortlisted to be the recipients of the computers.
“Airtel believes that education is the gateway to better opportunities as well as success and as such, is committed to changing the lives of the less privileged through assisting where possible in the education sector,” Mr. Correia said in a speech read on his behalf by Enterprise Business Director Mr. Muyunda Munyinda.
“In this day and age, with the fast growing dependency of education in ICT, we feel it is only fair that as many pupils as possible have the opportunity to have access to these tools regardless of their economic standing.”
And Huawei Zambia Deputy Country Director, Mr. David Fan said he was delighted to partner with the mobile service provider Airtel and that as an integrated part of the society in which the company operates, Huawei technologies firmly believed in contributing to the local communities.
“We aim to use our expertise in the telecommunications field to enrich the lives of people worldwide who still have limited access to communications in a World where the ability to be connected is increasingly becoming a necessity,” Mr. Fan said.
“Huawei’s theme is ‘Make it Possible’ therefore it is our endeavor that this small gesture will go a long way in making it possible for as many pupils to have the opportunity to have access to these tools to encourage the use of ICT in schools.”
The Ministry of Education represented by the District Education Board Secretary (DEBS), Mr. Cornwell Fula said the Ministry was delighted to see the private sector coming together to assist the Ministry and the government as a whole in fostering ICT education.
“We are so delighted that 2 schools are recipients of these computers and as you know we are getting into the examination period and therefore these computers have come at the right time when we need them to be able to examine our pupils in ICT. We are very honoured that you picked us out more especially that there are indeed so many other schools in the rural areas that also need help. We are truly grateful,” Mr. Fula said.
