eBusiness Weekly
Chipo Chaumba and Panashe Chikonyora
The Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) through its Universal Services Fund (USF) this year has dispersed ICT equipment and software worth US$142 147 to institutions for people living with disabilities.
In its latest efforts, POTRAZ has procured computers and fusion software licenses for seven institutions which include Emerald Hill, Karoi High School, M Hugo High School (Copota), Mckeurtan Primary School (Bulawayo), National League for the Blind, Jairos Jiri and National Rehabilitation Centre (Ruwa).
Karoi High School received handed over 13 fusion software licenses worth US$$7 204, while M Hugo High School (Copota) was given 20 fusion software licenses worth US$$11 004, and Mckeurtan Primary School (Bulawayo) got 13 fusion software licenses worth US$7 204. The National League for the Blind received 20 computers and 20 fusion software licenses worth US$11 004, while Jairos Jiri received 12 computers and 35 fusion software licenses worth US$18 954, and the National Rehabilitation Centre (Ruwa) received 20 computers.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, POTRAZ director general Dr Gift Machengete said the fund is necessary in empowering people with disabilities and bridging the technological gap.
“The fund (USF) also seeks to promote digital inclusion among people with special needs by addressing the shortage of assistive gadgets, e-learning and teaching resources in learning institutions for pupils with special needs.
“In an increasingly evolving digital age, information and communication technologies (ICT) have the potential for making significant improvements in the lives of persons with disabilities, allowing them to improve their social, cultural, political and economic integration in communities by enlarging the scope of activities at their disposal,” said Dr Machengete.
“In support of the current educational curriculum enacted by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education and the USF mandate, POTRAZ embarked on a project to provide ICT services to institutions for people with special needs.”
As part of the same program to provide ICT services and promote e-learning in institutions for people with disabilities, the regulator recently provided connectivity to 10 Jairos Jiri centres across Zimbabwe.
POTRAZ has said it is also planning to procure ICT equipment and software for disabled students at tertiary institutions such as the University of Zimbabwe (UZ) and National University of Science and Technology (NUST).
