By Sheila Kasambiza
More than 2,300 girls across Malawi have acquired digital skills through the Girls Can Code Too programme, an initiative aimed at equipping young people with practical technology skills to contribute to national development.
As the programme concluded, secondary school learners from different parts of the country showcased digital innovations designed to address challenges within their communities.
In Mzimba, students developed a digital school report-tracking system that allows parents to access examination results and assessments online, while enabling teachers to monitor learner performance and make data-driven decisions.
In Balaka, another group created an application to help primary school learners improve reading and numeracy skills, helping to address early learning gaps.
UN Women Representative Letty Chiwara said the innovations demonstrate a growing appetite among young people, particularly girls, to participate in the digital economy.
She called for continued investment to enable the ideas to be scaled up and monetised, adding that the programme will continue beyond its initial funding phase.
Irish Aid’s Sarah FitzGerald said the adoption of some student-developed systems by schools highlights the programme’s tangible impact at the community level.
TNM Marketing Director Sobuza Ngwenya said the company will continue supporting the 14 innovation hubs through the provision of internet connectivity.
The Girls Can Code Too programme was implemented in Mzimba, Dowa and Balaka districts.
