Over 10,000 Schools and 1000 visitors a day searching for school information and what they offer. We are very pleased to be the first ICT provider to schools, offering them the ability not only to connect to the information superhighway, but also to network.
90 % of Zimbabwe Schools to be connected before 2025.
Zimbabwe Schools Online is an information technology service provider. The organization was established with a vision to achieve excellence and international standards in terms of professionalism, innovation, quality, reliability, accountability, and transparency. In the informational era, schools need to be connected to promote effective communication, local networking, exchange of ideas, and resources through information technology. In an endeavour to facilitate this initiative, the organization is proud to offer its expert services in communication, connectivity, computer hardware, and software to interested schools. This initiative should greatly benefit participating schools since it is more user-friendly and convenient.
The Background
Whilst a good number of schools are slowly computerizing, there is still a big challenge in the full utilization of those computers. There is, therefore, a great need for connectivity, skilled IT personnel to support them to fully realize the benefits that come with ICT. Due to a lack of mechanisms to maintain and service the machines, as well as a lack of capacity, some of the schools could not benefit from this initiative to get their computers fully utilized. Indeed, several schools are facing problems in processing and circulating official documents, and are forced to spend a lot of money on external services such as typing, faxing, and postal services in the country, which is no longer viable and reliable. It now takes more time to receive items through the post office, and this causes delays and even communication breakdowns. Zimbabwe Schools online, thus dynamically comes to service in this regard.
Outreach Zimbabwe is very keen to go into partnership with schools in ICT provision and backup. Our organization highly recommends that schools be networked through an internet connection and websites. There are numerous advantages to having a website and being connected. These advantages include improvement in communications and, online enrollment and marketing. Also will provide all the necessary services to improve the enrollment.
Internet services
The Internet remains the fastest, cheapest means of communication around the world, and a large percentage of communicators prefer it. Within a short space of time, one can reach thousands of friends, business partners, and authorities online. One can browse, download, print, and mobilize resources, shop, and market online. Even regular communication with friends, family members away from home can be facilitated. The advantages are plenty, and therefore, being connected is a positive and intelligent move.
The Objectives
The major objectives of this project are as follows;
1. Connect 75% of schools within each province in the country online.
2. To improve the welfare of schools with reliable IT solutions.
3. Provide alternative means of communication besides the usual telecommunication service.
4. To be part of the world by adopting effective communication strategies.
5. To network schools in the country for effective communication.
6. To provide a school database. E.g., Staff members, students’ enrollment, etc.
7. Providing technical support to all schools in the project.
Strategies
– Design a website for each school and update it to www.zimschool.co.zw.
– Facilitate training for the staff in charge and empower them to update and manage the website.
The advantages of a website.
– The website will be a marketing window for all the schools in the country that are online.
– The schools can manage students’ enrollment online.
– Each connected school will have unlimited access to communication technologies that are more efficient, reliable, and accurate.
– The school website will consist of information on enrollment; pass rates, achievements, information about education, arts, and sports cultures, practical projects, awards, activity pictures, school history, vacancies, staffing and their educational backgrounds, transfer list for those who are looking forward to leave the school and those who would like to swap location, district and province.
Budget notes
The capacity building workshops will be organized for the selected IT staff to be technically empowered for backup services, updating, and management of the online database, newsletters. The workshop will run for five consecutive days. All expenses are payable at once, except subscriptions, which are paid monthly.