In a move to digitalise education in Zambia, mobile phone operator MTN is rolling out a programme that will see the replacement of traditional school chalkboards with smartboards in schools in the country.

Zambia's largest mobile phone operator has commissioned the MTN interactive whiteboard in Lusaka and the Copperbelt province under its corporate social investment flagship programme aimed at digitising schools.

MTN chief executive officer Abdul Ismail said in a statement that the smart boards will transform how information is shared while allowing teachers to capture and hold the attention of students using the interactive tools available.

The interactive whiteboard is a three-in-one tool which replaces the chalkboard, whiteboard and flip chart. It is aimed at improving ICT literacy and encouraging teachers to incorporate technology in lessons.

"Combining the ease of a traditional whiteboards with all the functionality and versatility of the computer, the interactive whiteboard transforms the way you share information with others. Its capabilities allow the teachers to capture and hold the attention of students by integrating a range of stimulating sources into a lesson," said Ismail.

He said the smartboards also come with a unique feature promoting the use of vernacular as a medium of instruction at primary school level.

Ismail said MTN worked with consultants and the Curriculum Re-development Centre (CDC) to install vernacular picture cards on the whiteboards to assist both teachers and pupils with vernacular usage.

The vernacular flash cards are in Tonga, Nyanja, Bemba and Lozi languages.

Research shows that the country's digital literacy level remains low.

A survey conducted by UNICEF two years ago found that digital literacy in Zambia, especially among young people, was very low and urged the Zambian government to put in place intervention measures in order to change the situation.

As a result, the Zambian government, through the Zambia Information and Communication Technology Authority (ZICTA), is currently setting up computer laboratories in schools in an effort to boost digital literacy level and to promote ICT use among the youth.