The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education of Zimbabwe has acknowledged the evolving technological needs of students and has started implementing digital libraries in over 1,500 schools nationwide.
Speaking at the 57th Zimbabwe Library Association Annual Conference, Minister Torerai Moyo said “This programme is identifying some of the most disadvantaged schools that benefited from solarisation and access to computers and laptops from various government agencies and development partners.”
He emphasized that this initiative aims to improve access to educational resources, which will support human capital development and innovation as part of the country’s Vision 2030.
He further stated that by offering diverse resources—from traditional textbooks to digital media—libraries are enabling students to engage in creative and skill-based learning.
Moyo also acknowledged the role of library and information professionals as catalysts for socio-economic change, as increased access to both print and digital materials positions libraries as crucial players in fostering digital literacy, critical thinking, and innovation.
The minister highlighted the importance of the Heritage-Based Curriculum (2024-2030), which aligns the education system with Zimbabwe’s cultural and natural heritage. He called on librarians to evaluate the adequacy of available resources to meet the evolving educational framework and announced several ongoing initiatives to reconfigure the national library system, including the establishment of the National Library and Documentation Services (NLDS) Council.
Outgoing president of the Zimbabwe Library Association, McDonald Nhakura, reiterated the crucial role of librarians in national development.
He stressed that in the digital era, knowledge is a key asset, and library professionals serve as custodians of this knowledge, guiding innovation and promoting creativity.
Nhakura noted that libraries, as ideation hubs under Zimbabwe’s Education 5.0 framework, will drive the integration of teaching, research, and industrialization, further contributing to Vision 2030 by equipping communities with essential information literacy skills for navigating the digital landscape.
