(Caption : Learners at Mwambazi in NkhataBay learning through new technology – Pic by Dennis Nliwasa)
District Commissioner for Nkhata Bay, Rodgers Newa, says numeracy and literacy skills are expected to improve among primary school learners in the district following the introduction of the Building Education Foundation Through Innovation and Technology (BEFIT) project.
Newa was speaking at Mwambazi primary school in the district during an open day organised by one of the project partners, the Organisation for Sustainable Social Economic Development (OSSEDI).
“As you can see that the project targets Standard 1 to 4 learners, this will enable them to develop the numeracy and literacy skills while they are still young unlike in the past when learners were reaching Standard 8 without such skills,” Newa explained.
Morson Banda, Headteacher at Mwambazi Primary School, said the project has assisted to reduce absenteeism, among others.
“This project uses the technology of tablets which are provided to learners during the lesson and they are able to follow instructions on their own, this arouses their interests in attending classes each and every school day,” Banda said.
The Malawi government, through the Ministry of Education, initiated the project and is being implemented in collaboration with several partner organisations, including OSSEDI, which focuses on Nkhata Bay and Nkhotakota districts.
The project manager at OSSEDI Mian Mpesi says teachers’ dedication is paramount in the implementation of the project.
“Some teachers are reluctant in conducting BEFIT lessons because they take it as a burden to them more especially when they think of accomplishing their main subjects,” Mpesi explained.
With support from World Wide, VSO, and One Billion, the project aims to provide solar-powered educational technology, including tablets, to primary schools.
By Musase Cheyo
