Communities are taking an active role in supporting teachers as the Building Education Foundations through Innovation and Technology (BEFIT) programme continues to transform learning in public primary schools.
This came to light during a media familiarisation tour organised by the BEFIT Programme Implementation Management Unit in the Central Region, aimed at appreciating how the initiative is improving classroom experiences.
At Chitiwiri Full Primary School in Traditional Authority Kalonga in Salima District, learning has become a shared responsibility between teachers and the community. Local residents have formed a committee under the school management committee to assist teachers during lessons, especially when learners are using tablets.
Chairperson of the committee, Patrick Batiyoni, says the community was motivated to get involved after noticing a remarkable improvement in children’s reading and writing skills at an early stage.
“We noticed that children are now able to read and write much earlier than before. That is what motivated us to take part and support the teachers,” he explained.
The tour also took journalists to St. Joseph Primary School in Kasungu, where about 750 learners are benefiting from the initiative.
BEFIT, which is being implemented by the Ministry of Education, targets learners in standards one to four and focuses on strengthening foundational literacy and numeracy using innovative and technology-driven approaches.
By Chinsisi Moyo
