13 Human Resources Skills and Capacity Education is key to social, scientific and technological development. Zimbabwe’s education policy resulted in a literacy rate of 97 percent (as at 2011, ZIMSTAT), the highest in Africa. This high literacy rate indicates that Zimbabwe has a high potential to be a knowledge society as the majority of its people can read and write. The number of personnel with ICT qualifications is not adequate for the country and there is no standardised national ICT training certification. There is the need to widely expose the employed as well as the youth and children to ICTs. 13.1 Policy Statements: ICT Skills Development The Government of Zimbabwe intends to increase ICT usage in primary and secondary schools through enhanced teaching and learning through ICTs. Most schools do not have reliable connectivity due to electricity problems and high Internet costs. This policy aims to provide connectivity in all schools further bridging the urban-rural digital divide, and enhancing teaching and learning through the use of technology tools and promoting universal computer literacy in Zimbabwe’s schools. Therefore, it is necessary for Zimbabwe to adopt strategies that ensure resources are maximized in order to realize ICT policy goals as follows: a) Work with relevant institutions and Government departments to develop programs that increase ICT human resource capacity and skills. b) Facilitate the deployment and exploitation of ICTs in the educational system from primary school upwards. Work with the relevant Ministries to include ICT training and education in schools, colleges and universities. c) Provide equitable access to ICT enabled education and training in all parts of the country, including disadvantaged communities. d) Promote e-learning and use of e-learning materials throughout Zimbabwe. e) Make use of the USF to boost connectivity for remotely located schools, in order to facilitate the e-Learning Programme. f) Encourage, promote and apply research and development in ICTs in society. 14 Regional and Global Positioning 14.1 Policy Statement: Participation and Leveraging Regional and Global Platforms a) Promote and participate in global partnerships, workshops and conferences to strengthen the country’s ICT capacity and competitiveness. b) Participate in regional and international initiatives in order to tap into resources that are available under such initiatives. c) Facilitate the integration of regulatory frameworks and policy with regional institutions. d) Engage in participation at management levels at ITU and other ICT related organisations. 31