Harare, January 5, 2026 – UNICEF handed over 815 laptops, 708 projectors, and 2,112 tablets to the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education in Zimbabwe, marking a major step toward strengthening equitable access to quality digital learning. The devices will be distributed to 113 disadvantaged schools across seven districts in Manicaland and Matabeleland South provinces, supporting national priorities to integrate information and communication technologies (ICTs) in teaching and learning, particularly in underserved and hard-to-reach communities.
This initiative was made possible with support from the Global Partnership for Education (GPE). Many of the beneficiary schools had previously participated in a school solarization program funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), and had offline servers hosting the Learning Passport (LP), a free digital learning platform. These prior investments provided reliable power and access to quality digital content even in low- or no-connectivity environments, helping reduce the digital divide between urban and rural schools.
By providing ICT devices, UNICEF and partners are completing the full set of infrastructure necessary for effective digital learning, enabling schools to maximize the use of the Learning Passport platform. This strategic selection of schools builds on earlier investments to ensure that learners in disadvantaged communities are not left behind in Zimbabwe’s digital transformation.
To promote sustainability and effective use, structured teacher training will accompany the device distribution, focusing on the pedagogical integration of digital tools and practical classroom application. Two user manuals have been developed: one to guide device management and basic maintenance, and another to support teachers in applying a blended learning approach.
Fiachra McAsey, UNICEF Zimbabwe Representative Acting-In-Charge, highlighted that the handover marks an important milestone in ensuring all children, regardless of location, have access to quality digital learning. By complementing investments in solar power and offline digital platforms with ICT devices, schools can move from simple access to the effective use of technology in classrooms, building inclusive and future-ready education systems.
Taungana Ndoro, Director of Communications and Advocacy at the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, emphasized that the contribution from UNICEF and GPE advances Zimbabwe’s vision for a modern, inclusive, and equitable education system. He noted that the handover is a critical step in bridging the digital divide and equipping every child with the skills and resources needed to thrive in the 21st century.
Belay Addise, Regional Manager for East and Southern Africa at GPE, added that access to quality digital education is essential for preparing learners with future-ready skills. The handover represents a significant moment in transforming Zimbabwe’s education system through the effective use of technology in classrooms and reinforces GPE’s commitment to building resilient and inclusive education systems that benefit all learners.
The initiative ensures that the combination of ICT devices, solar power, and offline digital platforms provides schools with a comprehensive digital learning environment, supported by teacher training and guidance manuals to sustain blended teaching approaches. By focusing on underserved schools, UNICEF and GPE aim to close the digital divide and empower learners and educators to fully participate in Zimbabwe’s ongoing digital transformation.
