By Wanangwa Tembo
Senior Chief Kaomba of Kasungu has described the governments Connect a School Project as a game changer that will transform education in rural Community Day Secondary Schools (CDSSs).
The government, through the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA), has launched the second phase of the initiative, which aims to bridge the digital divide by constructing Information and Communication Technology (ICT) laboratories in rural schools.
Funded under MACRAs Universal Service Fund, the project targets the construction of at least 195 ICT laboratories across the country.
Speaking through a representative during a groundbreaking ceremony for an ICT laboratory at Chilanga CDSS in Kasungu on Thursday, Kaomba expressed gratitude, saying the project will give rural learners access to knowledge previously beyond their reach.
“This project will open doors for our children to access information and resources that were previously out of reach. The world has gone digital, and it is necessary that everyone, including learners in rural communities, have access to the internet so they are able to access educational information with ease,” he said.Head Teacher for Chilanga CDSS, Daniel Saka, echoed the remarks, saying internet access would improve the quality of teaching and learning at the school.
“With internet access, our students will be able to access a wealth of educational resources, enhancing their learning experience and improving the schools performance in national examinations, Saka said.
Former parliamentarian for Kasungu Central, Ken Kandodo, who led the ceremony, said Chilanga was chosen because of its historical significance as the place where Malawis first president, Hastings Kamuzu Banda, received his early education in the early 1900s.
Although the laboratory will be constructed at the CDSS, it will also benefit the wider Chilanga community, including the nearby primary school, Kandodo said.
MACRAs Head of Finance, Limba Chapomba, said connecting rural schools to the internet was crucial for equal access to quality education.
“The Connect a School Project is about giving rural learners the same opportunities as those in urban areas. It is about building an inclusive digital future for Malawi,”she said.
The project is expected to significantly improve access to information, enhance digital literacy, and uplift educational standards in rural areas.
