WHILE Lusaka was left in long overdue suspense of free wifi promise which is still ‘Miles’ away, there is good news for those who frequent Kenneth Kaunda International (KKIA) Airport and East Park Mall in Lusaka.
The Zambia Research and Education Network (ZAMREN) has completed the connection of free eduroam wifi at the the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport and East Park Malls in Lusaka.
This is in an effort to give the two public facilities free internet which the travelling researchers and students in public, small and medium enterprises and other stakeholders can use for their daily businesses.
Furthermore the institution has proposed a transformative partnership aimed at bridging the education gap in Zambia through the use of technology.
In a breakfast meeting held in Lusaka today, ZAMREN’s board chairperson Mundia Muya, outlined a plan to provide internet connectivity and support blended learning in colleges across the country.
Prof. Muya highlighted the pressing need for innovative solutions to address the anticipated surge in secondary school graduates seeking higher education.
Ministry of Technology and Science shared that the number of learners has increased following the free education policy from about 34,000 to 95,000.
Technology and Science Minister Felix Mutati noted that the development of free education and skills training sponsorship had led to an increase of beneficiaries with limited infrastructure.
Mutati therefore commended ZAMREN for providing internet to various colleges countrywide and called for others to partner with the institution to enhance blended learning so that learners can access their lessons remotely.
“A physical Library has become less important because people can access materials wherever they are…you can learn from anywhere at anytime…on any device that’s the future,” Mutati said emphasising the role of technology in enhancing learning.
Mutati said in one of the colleges be visited recently, students expressed happiness that they were able to research easily online without worrying about bandwidth and speed of the internet due to ZAMREN services.
According to ZAMREN, the current education system faced disparities between urban and rural areas, with limited access to educational resources, technology, and internet connectivity.
“Our partnership seeks to ensure that more students have access to quality education, regardless of their geographical location,” Prof Muya said.
“By leveraging technology, we can provide blended learning opportunities and empower students with the essential skills for the modern workforce.”
Meanwhile ZAMREN chief executive officer Stein Mkandawire said the Institution also plans on providing internet to various public institutions like colleges and nursing schools so that students can easily research and do their class work with the help of the internet to enhance blended learning.
So far the institution has connected 13 public institutions to internet services.
By providing internet connectivity and supporting blended learning, ZAMREN hopes to address the challenges faced by Zambia’s education system and create a more equitable and inclusive learning environment for all students.
By Moses Makwaya
Kalemba September 19, 2024
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