MTN moves to bridge digital divide

MTN Rwanda has embarked on a countrywide programme to digitalise teaching and learning in schools as part of its social responsibility programme. This was disclosed by MTN CEO Ebenezer Asante, while addressing students, teachers and local leaders in Nzige Sector of Rwamagana District last weekend. The support to schools begun a week after the telecom giant announced a partnership with the Wikipedia Foundation that will see MTN clients access Wikipedia data free of charge. “Digitisation of learning and teaching is in line with MTN’s new vision to lead in delivery of a bold new digital world to our customers. This will also contribute towards closing the digital divide in our communities,” Asante said during a visit to Akanzu Secondary School in Rwamagana. The school outreach is part of the company’s annual employee volunteer programme dubbed 21 Days of Yello care. The CEO said MTN would embark on establishing early childhood development facilities, training teachers and learners to use ICT and establish digital content and libraries in universities. He said the objective of the volunteer programme was to make visible and sustained contribution to society. MTN donated books, schools bags, Nursery school teaching and learning materials among others to Akanzu secondary school. Asante pointed out that MTN had started a long term partnership with the school, adding that they intend to do more for the school. “We want to support this school in a number of ways; infrastructure, ICT, books, access to internet, etc. We have challenged the students just like their teachers; to embrace ICT…we shall establish a club in this school that will foster use of ICT,” he added. Jean Damascene Rukundo, the head teacher of the school welcomed the development. “We commend MTN support, it’s timely and we are humbled by their determination to develop ICT at our school. If our students can get enough computers and access internet, there is no doubt that our academic performance will be improve highly,” he said, drawing applause from students. The 21 Days of Yellow care is one of the flagship social corporate responsibility of MTN.

National

MTN moves to bridge digital divide