Technology and Science Minister Hon Felix Mutati has revealed that the new dawn government through his ministry has allocated K500,000 for the development of a curriculum that responds to the industry’s needs.
Hon Mutati said this is crucial because the ministry is very focused on the development and elevation of skills and we’ll as create opportunities, which is one of the major deliverables of the new dawn government.
And Hon Mutati said $1.2 million support from Volvo has been sourced to support the Northern Technical College (NORTEC) in Ndola which has been used in the procurement of Volvo and heavy duty machinery.
He also said the same institution has seen the placement of high level equipment using the skills development fund under the minister while another $1 million has been secured from the African Development Bank to support equipment acquisition for other technical schools of higher learning.
The minister said the intention of all this support the skills of the Zambian people so that the country’s future is assured and would in turn create quality jobs.
He said thousands of students at NORTEC and other institutions will be able to benefit from this investment once they are enrolled.
“Our strategy is clear and that is of putting our money in equipment and curriculum development. We have put K500,000 to develop a curriculum that responds to industry and this we think is absolutely crucial” Hon Mutati said.
Meanwhile, Hon Mutati said so far, 500 computers have been donated by ZICTA and distributed countrywide with a target to benefit 100,000 learners from this donation.
He said on the Copperbelt province alone, eighty two (82) learning institutions have benefited from this donation.
He also said 82 institutions have been connected to the optic fiber network courtesy of ZICTA in order to improve internet connectivity and access, among them being the Copperbelt University.
“Our idea of ICT is to bring it to learning institutions so that at the very bottom, our people are able to learn these skills. This is a noble program” he said.
Hon Mutati added that his ministry believes that the country cannot achieve digital transformation without connectivity and digital services which is working to ensure this is attained.
