MTN Zambia donates a Smart Board to Daina Kaimba School in Lusaka

Leading communications solutions provider MTN Zambia yesterday donated an interactive white board at Daina Kaimba Primary School in Lusaka as  part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives.

This is part of their efforts at encouraging the use of ICTs in schools and will see the replacement of school chalk boards with smart boards.

At the handover event MTN Zambia General Manager for Corporate Services Mwenzi Mulenga said the project is part a grand scheme to digitise education in the country. “This in line with our vision to lead the delivery of a bold new digital world as well as our mission to make our stakeholders’ lives a whole lot brighter.”

In 2013, the MTN Group realigned its Corporate Social Investment to focus on and adopted support to education through enhancement of ICTs in schools, as the world goes through an era of technological use and a higher demand for ICTs.

“We have made strides in empowering various schools with ICT infrastructure in Zambia. We have built computer laboratories, donated computers, held computer literacy classes and much more,” said Ms. Mulenga.

“Today’s event marks yet another milestone in fulfilling our promise to digitize schools. The board we are commissioning is the second in the first phase of the MTN Interactive White Board project. The first school to receive the board was Rokana Primary School in Kitwe and the third and final school in this phase will be Libala Primary School in Lusaka. 

Ms. Mulenga also stated that MTN Zambia is aware of the challenges being faced by schools in accessing ICT infrastructure and as Government’s partner in development, they shall continue to support ICTs in schools.

“Government’s policy to make computer literacy in schools compulsory is welcome and must be supported by all. MTN Zambia is the leading communications solutions provider and will show leadership in this endeavour,” said Ms. Mulenga.

She added that “The ICT penetration levels in schools are still low but with concerted efforts, we can increase the numbers. We therefore call upon other interested institutions to partner with MTN Zambia in ICT infrastructure development in schools.”

The Interactive White Board is a three in one tool which replaces the chalk board, white board and flip chart for note taking. In its use for education purposes, it is loaded with local curriculum digital content.

Combining the ease of a traditional whiteboard with all the functionality and versatility of a computer, the Interactive Whiteboard transforms the way you share information with others. Its capabilities allow the teachers to capture and hold the attention of students by integrating a range of stimulating sources into a lesson.

One of the key objectives of this initiative include teaching teachers to be more ICT literate and incorporate technology into their lessons thereby assisting learners in understanding difficult concepts.

The MTN Zambia smart boards come with a unique feature promoting the use of vernacular as a medium of instruction at primary school level.

“Working with consultants, endorsed by the Curriculum Development Centre, we installed vernacular picture cards on the White Boards to assist both the pupils and the teachers with vernacular usage. The flash cards which are recommended for pupils from grade 1 to 4 are in Bemba, Nyanja, Lozi and Tonga. This is in support of government policy to promote the use of local languages as a medium of instruction at primary school level,” said Ms. Mulenga.