Gov�t to connect internet in 523 public schools
Pini Bothoko | Thursday March 23, 2017 18:46
Mokaila told Parliament yesterday that his Ministry will in the coming financial year 2017/18, connect internet in 523 public schools.
The ministry has been allocated approximately P 3.4 billion for development and recurrent budgets.
Mokaila stated that his Ministry would continue to provide ICT gadgets through the schools connectivity initiatives, especially educational laptops to different schools across the country.
“For this, we have two dedicated projects. In this era, ICT has become an imperative for efficient learning. My Ministry continues to support efforts in our education system where the use of ICT is very important for students’ learning,” Mokaila said.
He revealed that the first project is a collaboration of his Ministry with Mascom Wireless and BOFINET, which will connect 523 public schools with Internet in 85 villages.
Mokaila said the villages should be having Mascom network of 3G technology to the broadband network and provide them with ICT devices for use in accessing the services.
He explained that the other project lead by BOCRA will also connect and provide ICT equipment to 175 public schools in Mabutsane sub District, Kgalagadi, Ghanzi, Kweneng and North West District as part of the universal access and service strategy recommendation.
“The Procurement for this project is still ongoing. The aim is to have
computerised and connected broadband Internet to all public schools by end of 2019,” Mokaila said.
Meanwhile, Mokaila said in mitigating the escalating road accidents, their focus has shifted to improving driving schools and driving instructors by enhancing their legislative instruments, which are the Road Traffic Act (RTA) and Road Transport Permits Act (RTPA).
He said some regulations of the RTA have been reviewed and the regulations include road traffic in driving schools and driving instructors regulations.
Mokaila stated that the driving schools and driving instructors regulations advocates for conducive, proper, well equipped and professional driving schools with better facilities manned by qualified driver instructors, with an approved training programme by Botswana Qualification Authority (BQA).
He said his Ministry is further considering the introduction of the Road Traffic (Demerit Points) Regulations, which aim at improving the driving culture by introducing punitive measures to careless drivers, which may lead to suspension or revocation of a driving licence.
“Consideration is been taken to enhance public health safety, by introducing the road traffic that covers the control of motor vehicle emissions, importation and registration of pre-owned motor vehicles regulation,” Mokaila said.
He explained that the regulation would assist in the facilitation of outsourcing of the vehicle road worthiness and emission test to private motor dealers as a measure to reduce congestions at the Department of Roads Transport and Safety (DRTS).
He further said in an endeavour also to reduce congestion at the DRTS, they will leverage on the ICT and introduce on-line services on the renewal of motor vehicle licences and drivers’ licences.