Zambian Government Partners with Ecobank to Transform Katoba School into AI Hub

Felix Chipota Mutati, the minister of Technology and Science has announced that the Zambian Government has pledged to transform Katoba Secondary School in Chongwe District into an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Center of Excellence.

The school will help to training other schools countrywide in the roll out of AI assisted learning aides and technology.

Technology and Science Minister Hon. Felix Mutati has constituted a four man task force to implement the transformation of the school.

Hon. Mutati says the school will be at the forefront in spreading AI to all schools across the country.

Speaking when he officiated at the handover of solar panels and training of teachers and pupils in Artificial Intelligence at Katoba Secondary School funded by Ecobank, Mr. Mutati said Artificial Intelligence is the future and it will enhance learning and teaching.

He said AI will help teachers prepare their lesson plans in an easier way and check progress of their teachers

Mr. Mutati said AI will make the education system more responsive to the needs of both the pupils and teachers.

Zambia Information and Communication Technology (ZICTA) Acting Director General Collins Mbulo, who was part of the event, has been drafted into the four man task force to transform the school into an AI Center of Excellence.

And Ecobank Managing Director Aina Moore said the K300,000 project the bank funded at Katoba Secondary School is meant to help the learners have access to latest technology and stable supply of power.

Ms. Moore said the sponsorship by the bank includes a 1 year subscription for free internet through Interlink which has been connected to the school.

She said the connection of Katoba Secondary School has seen both teachers and learners being trained in AI.

Area Member of Parliament Hon Sylvia Masebo expressed gratitude for the continued support from Ecobank to both Katoba Secondary School and the people of Katoba ward in Chongwe District. Ms Masebo urged others to emulate Ecobank and give back to their communities as government alone can not improve and develop this country.

I am extremely thankful for your continued support to us the people of Chongwe, we too shall ensure that all these donations are kept well and utilised for their intended purpose, today katoba is well furnished even more than other schools in the urban part of this Province and for this we are grateful.

Hon Sylvia Masebo, Area Member of Parliament

Meanwhile, Ministry of Education Permanent Secretary Joe Kamoko said the funding by Ecobank at Katoba Secondary School has brought cutting edge learning tools to the pupils.

Mr. Kamoko has thanked the bank for spending it’s Ecobank Day at the same school for the second consecutive year.