{"id":32360,"date":"2022-12-27T16:20:55","date_gmt":"2022-12-27T16:20:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/all-news\/govt-to-connect-60-of-primary-schools-to-internet-in-two-years"},"modified":"2022-12-27T16:40:47","modified_gmt":"2022-12-27T16:40:47","slug":"govt-to-connect-60-of-primary-schools-to-internet-in-two-years","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/rwanda\/culture-and-art\/govt-to-connect-60-of-primary-schools-to-internet-in-two-years","title":{"rendered":"Govt to connect 60 % of primary schools to internet in two years"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Rwanda. <\/strong><\/span>The government of Rwanda is planning to connect at least 60 per cent of primary schools to the internet by 2024.<\/p>\n

Currently, according to Diane Sengati, the Director of Digital Content and Instructional Technology at Rwanda Basic Education Board (REB), only 20 per cent and 57 per cent of primary and secondary schools respectively are connected despite internet penetration which is at 66 per cent in the country.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are connecting schools in collaboration with partners. Where there is no electricity and internet penetration, the schools are yet to be connected. We have a target to connect 60 per cent by 2024,\u201d she told The New Times.<\/p>\n

She said that as schools get ICT tools such as one laptop per child and per teacher besides electricity, internet connectivity is also availed.<\/p>\n

The government of Rwanda is planning to connect at least 60 per cent of primary schools to the internet by 2024.<\/p>\n

Currently, 57 per cent of teachers have laptops across the country, Sengati said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is still a challenge of the high cost of internet per month for schools,\u201d she noted.<\/p>\n

According to Emmanuel Mfitumukiza, the Chairperson of the Internet Society Rwanda Chapter, most of the rural schools are not yet connected.<\/p>\n

\u201cTherefore partners can also play a role in connecting such schools to contribute to government efforts. We have connected four primary schools in Bugesera district and the schools can also serve the community by increasing digital literacy,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

He said that internet connectivity in primary and secondary schools will help in the implementation of a competence-based curriculum.<\/p>\n

\u201cBy implementing this curriculum, teachers and students should have access to ICT tools,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Theophile Nkundingabo, the Head Teacher at GS Nyirarukobwa in Bugesera district said that the school got a digital library set up using technology that doesn\u2019t require internet connectivity.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe had few books yet we have 1,023 pupils in Primary School and 210 in secondary school. Our teachers were not conversant with ICT tools. There is a need for increasing the internet in rural schools. The cost of the internet is high and schools can\u2019t afford it alone,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Children during IT class. The government of Rwanda is planning to connect at least 60 per cent of primary schools to the internet by 2024. File<\/p>\n\r\n