Rwandan teachers are set to advance technology wise as they teach in schools. The development comes after Africa Smart Investments Distribution (ASI-D), a lead distributor of ‘Made in Rwanda’ Positivo BGH laptops targets to equip 80,000 teachers with laptops through Smart Teacher Initiative. Smart Teacher Initiative that was officially unveiled today by Prime Minister Anastase Murekezi and Minister for Education Dr. Papias Malimba Musafili, is a creation born out of the partnership between Africa Smart Investments Distribution,Ministry of Education, Rwanda Education Board, UMWALIMU SACCO and Airtel Rwanda. The initiative will equip teachers with brand new Positivo BGH laptops across the country, plus an Airtel internet modem loaded with 2 years unlimited internet.
Speaking at the launch Minister for Education Dr. Papias Malimba Musafili said “Teachers are key players to extend the laptops campaign to students, therefore empowering teachers’ capacity in ICT means empowering students to understand the importance of technology”. “We are grateful to the partners that have made the smart teacher initiative possible. We call upon schools to enable teachers by offering them loans to purchase the computers that will help them do their work efficiently”, Minister Papias Malimba added.
To acquire the laptops and modems, teachers will apply for loans from UMWALIMU SACCO, payable in 24 easy installments (2 years) while paying 13,920 RWF per month Inclusive of Bank Interest. Once the loan is approved, Umwalimu SACCO will pay the amount to Africa Smart Investments – Distribution and a laptop with a modem loaded with 24 months internet will be delivered to Umwalimu SACCO branch for pickup. “We are excited to empower teachers by equipping them with Positivo BGH Laptops of the latest technology to enable them do their work and we have no doubt that they will deliver efficiently while they prepare content for students using these laptops”,Chairman for Africa Smart Investments-Distribution, Francois Karenzi also commended.
“Today over 90 teachers were offered their laptops. We call upon the rest of the teachers that have not acquired there laptops to also seize this opportunity to be a part of a smart Rwanda that the country has proved to be. As ASI-D we are here to serve the teachers tirelessly”, Francois Karenzi emphasized. In his remarks, Airtel Rwanda Managing Director Michael Adjeialso said, “I am more than pleased to be here today as we launch a great step that will boost teachers’ capacity in our country. And believe me, nothing pleases me more than Airtel Rwanda being part of an initiative that looks to develop the education sector by boosting capacity for the key players – the teachers”. “We look forward to teachers using our services more and we pledge to be there for them any time they need our assistance as far as using our internet is concerned” concluded Michael Adjei. To be a beneficiary of the Smart Teacher Initiative, a teacher has to be a member of Umwalimu SACCO, must have a service and salary certificate from the sector, three Insurers, ID photo and must not go below 50% of his or her salary.
About ASI-D
Africa Smart Investment – Distribution (ASI-D) is a smart devices and technologies distribution company that focuses on Value Addition Services, founded in Rwanda with operation across African continent. ASI-D deals in distribution and sales of POSITIVO Rwanda and beyond, development and export ICT solutions to be incorporated in mobile and IT equipment, design, development and implementation of technology projects and other or all of the project development life cycle stages.
About POSITIVO BGH
Positivo BGH Rwanda recently established in Rwanda is a manufacturer and distributor of PCs and other electronic products both for education and comfort purposes.