By Aliko Munde

Chitipa, May 8, Mana: Some stakeholders in Building Education Foundation Innovation and Technology (BEFIT) Programme in Chitipa District have said that telecommunications network was a challenge that is hindering smooth implementation of the programme.

 Primary Education Advisor (PEA) for Nkhwangwa Education Zone, Jonathan Kayira said that most of the schools which are implementing the programme face internet network problems.

He said this Tuesday during BIFIT quarterly review meeting which was attended by a cross section of the programme’s stakeholders.

Kayira said that most of the schools in the zone access Tanzania Telecommunications Network, which he said cannot facilitate implementation of the initiative.

“We usually have a Tanzania Telecommunications Network and if we want to access our networks, we go to a specific place where the network is erratic,” he added.

The PEA appealed to the government and mobile service providers to come to the rescue of the area for learners to benefit from the programme.

Acting Director of Health and Social Services (DHSS) for Chitipa, Dr. George Kasondo said

 that Chitipa District Council engaged the local mobile network providers so that they increased coverage in underserviced areas.

Chitipa District has 184 public primary schools, out of which 30 are implementing programme.

The programme in which promotes use of tablets by learners was launched on September 11, 2023.