Click Here & Upgrade PDF Complete Expanded Features Unlimited Pages Documents 6.2 PROMOTING ICT IN EDUCATION, RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT It is recognized that for developing countries like Zambia to make major progress in social and economic development, there is need to invest significant effort and resources in the education system. Zambia s education system is currently under-resourced; with a substantial section of the population without access to high school and tertiary level education as well as professional training. Therefore, a significant percentage of the population is without educational attainment required for meaningful contribution to national development. 6.2.1 POLICY GOAL To integrate ICTs in the education system and develop the nation s Research and Development (R&D) capacity to support, facilitate and contribute to the development of key sectors of the economy including the development of appropriate local ICT products and services. 6.2.2 COMMITMENTS In order to achieve the above goal, Government shall: (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) Facilitate the creation of Centres of Excellence for research in Electronics Engineering/Telecommunications,Computer Science/Information Technology, Media/Information Science etc; Take appropriate policy measures to facilitate and promote the integration of ICTs within the entire Zambian educational system to support administration, teaching, learning and research; Adopt and adapt NEPAD E-Schools and other initiatives to promote Elearning and E-Education as well as life-long learning within the population at large; Strengthen science and technical education as the basis for laying the foundation for human resource and skills development in ICT; and Adequately invest in R&D as a way of developing the nation s scientific and industrial research capacity in ICTs. 6.2.3 OBJECTIVES a) b) c) d) To deploy ICTs at all levels of the Zambian educational system in order to improve and expand access to education, training and research facilities; To modernise the educational delivery system with the aim of improving the quality of education and training at all levels; To strengthen the administration and decision-making capacity in the educational system through the deployment of Education Management Information Systems; & To promote collaboration of R&D systems within the local industrial set-up to facilitate product development, innovation and delivery of world-class 27