A Mobile Ad-hoc Strategy to Enhance ICT Based Education in Zimbabwean Rural Schools

The research was motivated by an existing digital disparity between a rural and an urban learner, hence the need to adopt a strategy to counteract problems inherent in the rural schooling environment. Hence, the objectives of the study were to find out the adoption rate of the ICTs in rural schools, as well as the importance of ICTs in rural schooling environments. In addition, the case study sought to ascertain challenges being experienced in such learning environment and in that regard identify solutions to mitigate the identified challenges. The research was based on a qualitative research methodology using a case study strategy. Among other findings, the case study results unearthed the lack of ICT infrastructure and/ or resources, financial incapacitation of rural schools, national economic downturn, government policy inconsistence and lack of in-service training. However, some schools were ready to adopt ICT as evidenced by presence of ICT teachers and somewhat very constrained resources. To circumvent the bottlenecks identified in the rural education system, the study recommended a mobile ad hoc computing strategy, which could provide a somewhat cost-effective mobile learning environment.