By Hope chimwala

Blantyre, November 7, Mana:   Malawi Government through the Ministry of Education has embarked on an innovative journey to digitalize education using the Building Education Foundation through Innovation and Technology (BEFIT) program.

The digitalization agenda includes electrification of schools, internet access, and provision of at least 40 digital access devices per school, National Open Distance and e-Learning policies among others.

In an interview with Malawi News Agency (MANA) on Thursday, Public Relations Officer in Ministry of Education, Mphatso Nkuonera said that Malawi Government is dedicated to improving the foundational literacy and numeracy skills of primary school learners in standard one up to four through (BEFIT).

“Over 80,000 tablets have already been distributed to 660 primary schools across the country, serving over 410,000 learners. In areas where there is no electricity, the ministry is providing vibrant solar panels,” he said.

Education expert, Steve Shara said in an interview that digitalizing access to education is key to transforming societies, as a lot of people do not have access to education.

“We have two million young Malawians aged 15-19 years old, yet only 538,000 are in school, the rest have no access to education because we do not have enough secondary schools,” he said.

Another education expert, Benedicto Kondowe agreed with Shara, saying that digitalizing education in Malawi is a significant step towards achieving Malawi’s 2026 vision, which prioritizes building a strong human capital foundation through quality and accessible education.  

“Digitalizing education is a realistic agenda as learners will be equipped with technological knowledge and skills resulting into a productive society. We are living in a digital world and our learners need to be in line with how the world is working,” he said.

The BEFIT program led by the Malawi Government is embedded within the national curriculum and school timetable and by 2029; all public primary schools are expected to have benefited from the program.