The Ministry of Information and Communications Technology has called on stakeholders in the education and digital sectors to strengthen collaboration in expanding access to reliable, affordable and high-quality internet connectivity in schools as part of Malawi’s digital transformation agenda.

The Director of eGovernment in the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology, Moses Chiwoni, made the call on Thursday during the Digital Malawi Acceleration Project (DMAP) Schools Connectivity Stakeholder Meeting in Blantyre, which sought to harmonize efforts to connect 2,000 public schools to high-speed internet.

The consultation brought together key stakeholders from the Public Private Partnership Commission (PPPC), the Accelerating Sustainable and Clean Energy Transformation (ASCENT) Project, the Ministry of Education, and the Malawi Education and Research Network (MAREN) to coordinate the implementation of the nationwide initiative.

In his remarks, Chiwoni said the DMAP Schools Connectivity Initiative will play a pivotal role in bridging the digital divide by ensuring that learners in both urban and rural schools have equitable access to reliable, affordable and high-quality internet services.

Chiwoni: collaboration is key.

He said enhanced connectivity will unlock access to digital learning resources and support government efforts to modernize education through technology.

Chiwoni said: “Collaboration is key to advancing Malawi’s digital transformation agenda through improved access to reliable, affordable and high-quality internet connectivity for our learning institutions. The success of this initiative will depend on our ability to work collaboratively, share information openly and coordinate our efforts effectively.”

Speaking on the sidelines of the meeting, ASCENT Geographical Information Systems Specialist Peter Mbisa highlighted the importance of integrating the school connectivity programme with ongoing rural electrification efforts.

Mbisa: There are strong synergies.

"There are strong synergies between the two projects. While ASCENT is providing electricity to schools and health facilities, particularly in remote off-grid areas, internet connectivity under DMAP will enable better monitoring and management of the solar installations while creating an environment where digital learning can thrive," Mbisa said.

Principal Education Officer in the Ministry of Education’s Secondary Directorate, Felix Ungapembe, said expanded broadband connectivity will give learners and educators greater access to digital learning resources, online platforms, virtual classrooms and research materials.

The DMAP School Connectivity Initiative will be implemented through MAREN, which will provide high-speed broadband connectivity and network services to 2000 schools across the country.