CONNECT A SCHOOL - MACRA launches construction of 75 ICT laboratory centers
Objective of Connect a School project is to bolster the capacity of Community Day Secondary Schools to function as community ICT centers, reach out to 40,000 students and 250,000 community members
Mangochi, May 8: The Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA), through the Connect a School Project, has initiated the construction of 75 Information Communication Technologies (ICT) laboratory centers in Community Day Secondary Schools (CDSS) nationwide.
The Connect a School Project, operating under the Universal Service Fund, serves as the digital inclusion arm of MACRA.
Speaking during the official ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of these centers at Nkope CDSS in Mangochi, Ronald Tembo, Head of the Universal Service Fund at MACRA, emphasized that the Connect a School Project is a flagship endeavor in alignment with the National Digitalization Policy.
"In this project, we have adopted a unique model where we collaborate with the community, particularly trained artisans from TEVETA. These artisans will be managed by the National Construction Industry Council," Tembo explained.
"To ensure universal internet access, MACRA is working on establishing a diplomatic data corridor, introducing Yathu Yathu data aimed at covering all rural areas with affordable and reliable internet," he added.
Tembo further revealed that MACRA is installing technology towers to spread both mobile network and broadcasting signals in underserved communities. Additionally, MACRA plans to construct a total of 9,000 ICT laboratories in various public institutions, a project estimated to cost over K7 billion.
Prof. Chomora Mikeka, Director of Science, Technology, and Innovation in the Ministry of Education, lauded the Connect a School Project for its role in developing human capital aligned with the demands of the digital labor market. He emphasized the project's significance in facilitating digital transformation and economic growth in the country.
"This is a crucial project, as Malawians have called for the installation of ICT labs in every school to support education digitalization and the country's digital transformation. Providing connectivity to schools is essential for achieving Agenda 2063," Mikeka remarked.
According to Mikeka, out of 6,954 primary schools in Malawi, only 140 are connected to the internet, and a mere fraction of the 1,774 secondary schools have internet access.
Sub-Traditional Authority (STA) Chiwalo expressed gratitude to the government for selecting Nkope CDSS as one of the beneficiaries of the project.
SOURCE - Malawi News Agency reported by Bishop Witmos
Excellent! I hope they are built as sustainablity as possible as well.
Hello Stacia, Let's hope so great invention utilising existing educational structures that are well placed in remote areas. Please keep providing the feedback.