NEO Laptops from Zambia provide the energy. 28,000,000 dollar pilot program for 10,000 instructors.
To ensure that no educator in Zambia is left behind, SMART Zambia, Intel, and other stakeholders have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU). The recent Innovation Africa event, which took place from November 16–18, 2022, served as the starting point for conversations regarding the many inputs that need be supplied for this initiative.
The Zambian President, H.E. Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, H.E. Jakaya Kikwete, former president of the United Republic of Tanzania and chair of the Global Partnership for Education Board, Hon. Felix C. Mutati (MP), minister of technology & science for the Republic of Zambia, Hon. Douglas M. Siakalima (MP), minister of education for the Republic of Zambia, and ministers of education from other African nations, including South Africa, Cameroon There were also important players from the World Bank, Cambridge University, INTEL, HP, UNESCO, Microsoft, and GPE, among others.
The SMART Zambia Institute, National Coordinator, Mr. Percy Chinyama, in collaboration with the various implementers from the other African countries, Intel Corp., and Zambia’s very own NEO designed a digital program that incorporates best practices from all over the continent to benefit every teacher in Zambia during this prestigious education event that was hosted in Zambia last year.
The program’s main outputs are access to high-quality equipment through cheap financing and to innovative skills. The self-paced digital literacy curriculum may be finished in a year and is designed to turn anyone who has never used technology into a proficient user. The partnership intends to produce accessible equipment at reasonable prices, improved training and, consequently, greater skill development, as well as job prospects within the nation and even throughout the region.
Through this Memorandum of Understanding, the Government intends to improve the delivery of education using ICT platforms in accordance with the 8thNDP. The emphasis will be on increasing the supply of educational necessities, such computers and printers, to guarantee that schools are appropriately set up to give excellent and relevant education.
Through their OEM collaboration, Intel strategic partner NetOne will provide educators with NEO devices that are pre-loaded with Skills for Innovation. Bejoy Nettikadan, CEO of NetOne, implores the government to take advantage of this kind gesture from Intel. The Ministers of Education and Technology both observed and gave their blessing to the discussions.
Although the scalable program is not only applicable to one ministry, it will initially be piloted in the education sector. The program’s second phase focuses on teaching young people digital skills. The National Coordinator hopes that this will support government initiatives aimed at encouraging digital adoption, boosting e-government usage, and advancing the national digitalization goal.
