PROCURE MORE SOLAR KITS FOR RURAL SCHOOLS, GOVT URGED

Procure more solar kits for rural schGOVERNMENT should expedite procurement of solar equipment to rural schools to enhance children’s access to Information and Communications Technology (ICT), the Professional Teachers Union of Zambia (PROTUZ) has said. PROTUZ Public Relations and International Affairs Officer, Brian Mwila, said most pupils in rural schools have no access to ICT studies due to lack of electricity. He said provision of solar equipment would enhance pupils’ access to computer studies. “We want to take this opportunity also to appeal to the government to expedite the process of providing solar equipment to rural schools to ensure that no child is left behind in the provision of education in the country,” Mr Mwila said.Meanwhile, Mr Mwila commended Government for procuring and distributing modern learning equipment and office furniture to schools countrywide.He said the provision of furniture was a demonstration of Government’s commitment to ensuring that schools were stocked with modern equipment to match with the teaching and learning standards of the 21st century.He said the exercise was be a huge relief to teachers in science, home economics, design and technology and ICT departments. “This gesture by government deserves commendation. The union holds a strong belief that this exercise will not only alleviate office furniture challenges in schools more especially the rural ones but also help motivate teacher members to work hard and ultimately result in improved provision of quality education in the country,” he said.Mr Mwila urged all the school authorities to put the facilities to good use and guard against vandalism and theft.