MANAonline
Technology, a drive to high standard education
By Lekereni Chinkhota
Salima, May 25, Mana: Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) has emphasized the importance of having computer laboratories in schools to enhance high quality education to students in an effort to equip the youth from rural areas with computer literacy skills and easy access to information.
Speaking during a ground breaking ceremony at Thavite Community Day Secondary School in Salima, Quality Assurance Manager at MACRA, Cossam Chingancheke highlighted the importance of having such institutions in rural areas to ease access to information that could help students excel well in their education.
“The laboratory is targeting these students as they need technology to get exposed and to align with the world because technology has taken over in all aspects of life worldwide. As a tool in education sector, the laboratory will enable these students to compete and share same knowledge and resources with urban and city counterparts,” he said.
Chingancheke said that the computer laboratory would be accessible by members of the community for them to gain various skills for their everyday purposes.
“Communities around the school campus will enjoy the same opportunities in using the laboratory just like the way students will be using in accessing information. The scope is taking care of the community, they have to benefit out of it as well since technology cuts across all service delivery of the country and our economy will be better placed if we use technology,” he added.
The Manager highlighted measures that have been put in place to safeguard abuses to the under aged in order to only access appropriate information that could be useful in their education.
Member of Parliament for Salima North, Kaphamtengo Yona said the laboratory would help in solving various problems rural people face due to lack of such infrastructures.
“We appreciate the construction of this laboratory because once completed our students will start learning computer subjects which will enhance their academic processes. These days’ employers are looking for computer literate people to work for them. Our students will be able to match those standards,” he said.
The MP assured the public that he would tirelessly work together with chiefs to have a high standard infrastructure far from corrupt activities that lead to embezzlement of any resources that are used for constriction.
“We want the project to be implemented according to plans. If someone is found involved in any malpractices here, when caught, the rule of law will take its course,” he said.
Senior Chief Mwanza appreciated the coming in of the computer laboratory citing that it would boost students’ commitment to their studies and that would reduce immoralities.
“Our area is lacking behind in many ways but I am so pleased to welcome this development at this an unexpected time. People will realize the importance of development and our girls will be committed to further their studies easily due to easy access to information. I am sure this will reduce the rising problems of unplanned pregnancies, early marriages and school dropouts that our girls are facing,” she said.
Mwanza added that it was a responsibility for both students and community members to embrace and make good use of the facility by taking care of it for their own benefit.
MACRA will provide three computer laboratories at Thavite in the north, Mkwero at the enteral and Lungumadzi in the south of Salima with the aim to make both students and community members exposed to the digital world.
Youths urged to remain in school
By Eranivey Temani
Lilongwe, May 25, Mana: Youth more especially girls in Traditional Authority(TA) Kabudula in Lilongwe have been urged to take their studies seriously in order for them to be productive citizens in the near future.
Member of Parliament (MP) for Lilongwe North, Monica Chang’anamuno made the call Friday during the ground breaking ceremony of the ICT lab construction at Mikundi Community Day Secondary School (CDSS) which government through MACRA are constructing across the country.
Chang’anamuno who is Minister of Mining said it was only well educated people who could contribute positively towards the development of the country.
“This country needs a lot of educated people who can foster different developments. For example, our mining sector needs people who are professionally trained to work in mining sites which are expected to open very soon, so you must work hard,” she said.
Mikundi Community Day Secondary School (CDSS) Head Teacher, Ernest Banda said it was sad that many girls in the area are dropping out of school due to early marriages and unplanned pregnancies.
He said that, “In 2023, only eight girls out of 33 wrote Malawi School Leaving Certificate Examinations (MSCE) due to early marriages and unplanned pregnancies and this is quite disappointing to us as teachers as well as parents.”
Banda asked church and traditional leaders to hold hands and come up with by-laws and stiff penalties that would deter girls to go for early marriages and remain in school.
Senior Group Village Head Guta thanked government for the ICT lab construction at the school saying it would assist learners to have access to more information on their studies.
Guta asked her subordinates and parents to make sure that all children more especially girls around their areas are going to school and not sending them at the market to sell merchandise.
She said that, “For several years I have been on earth, I never expected that this kind of project will ever reach to our community, but now a foundation has been laid, I am hopeful that our children will be in a digital world,”
A Form 4 student at the school, Sarah Ngulube encouraged her fellow students more especially girls to be very careful and avoid rushing into marriages.
Media key in developing National Environmental report
By Fostina Mkandawire
Salima, May 25, Mana: Media has been described as a key partner in the development of Malawi National State of the Environment Outlook Report (NSEOR), a report which will highlight drivers and pressures of environmental change and provide context for future national plans.
Acting Director General, of Malawi Environment Protection Authority, Tawonga Mbale made the remarks Friday during a media orientation aimed at informing journalists on the steps and activities put in place for the successful development of the NSEOR.
She said there has been preparatory activities towards the commencement of developing the NSEOR, therefore reporters have to be part of every step so that they could be developing well-articulated stories to raise awareness to the public.
"We noted a gap on environmental reporting therefore journalists need to be well capacitated with enough information for their work, we will further work hand in hand with journalists through Association of Environmental Journalists, to broaden their understanding on environmental reporting," Mbale said.
She expressed her appreciation to United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) for financially supporting the development of the NSEOR which has taken government over thirteen years to update, due to financial constraints.
Mbale said due to changing and emerging environmental issues the country needs to develop the report that will assist in developing new policies for environmental protection.
"Environmental changes continue affecting every aspect of the economy, there is an increase on the frequency and intensity of disasters, an increase in biodiversity loss, we need to document and see how we will respond to these environmental emerging issues," she said.
Head of Disasters and Conflicts Branch at UNEP's Ecosystem Division, Cecilia Aipira said that the country's social economic development was directly dependent on the environment therefore it was imperative to develop a report that would provide policy response.
She revealed that the report would be launched in September, 2025, adding that it was not just a document that could be finalized within a shortest period of time, therefore having everyone on board would facilitate and provide room for soliciting diverse views.
"We are calling for National Experts by June, 2024, as one way of enriching the type of people that we will have, therefore these people should be nominated by the public to join already identified experts who are on board," Aipira explained.
Board Member for the Association of Environmental Journalists, Moses Phiri highlighted how important engaging members of the media was when developing important documents such as the NSEOR.
"We are dedicated to collaborating closely with MEPA, UNEP, the Co-Chairs, and the authors. We believe there is much we can contribute, both during the development process and the implementation phase," he added.
Tea industry stakeholders told to implore value addition
By George Bulombola
Nkhata Bay, May 25, Mana: Ministry of Trade and Industry has advised stakeholders in Tea Industry in the country to enhance value addition to tea for the product to be competitive and fetch higher value on international markets.
The call was made Saturday at Kawalazi Tea Estate in Nkhata Bay by the responsible Minister, Sosten Gwengwe when he presided over International Tea Day Commemoration on the theme, ‘Honoring women from Crop to Cup.’
He said tea was amongst the four highest forex earners for the country and was a strategic crop as far as forex exchange was concern.
“We need to be increasing value to our tea so that we do better on international markets, besides that, we also have to progressive by establishing out grower tea schemes in place such as Nkhata Bay since we only have small scale growers in Thyolo and Mulanje and we are exploring of increasing growers at Kawalazi,” Gwengwe said.
The Minister added that the country exports raw tea in bulk which was reprocessed elsewhere and imported back as premium brands.
“We would like to process raw tea into our own Malawian Tea premium brands which can fetch higher value hence generating increased forex,” he pointed out.
On trade imbalances, Gwengwe said the country needs to term its imports and find import substitutions so that Malawian products are bought using Malawi Kwacha.
“For example, we continue importing more cement for no reason and using Control of Goods Act, the Ministry is trying to control importation of things which can locally be produced such as matches, tomatoes and sugar among others that can achieve us import substitution,
We should not be importing sugar because we a sugar sufficient country. If we achieve import substitution, then we can achieve trade balance due reduced imports. This can also be attained by increasing our exports,” he added.
Board Chairperson for Tea Association of Malawi, Sangwani Hara said the day’s theme was chosen Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) because women across the world tea across the world is mostly produced by women either as small holder farmers or workers
“For instance in Malawi alone. Sixty-five percent of the 23000 tea smallholder farmers are actually women so it’s a very befitting theme,” he said.
On issues of encroachment into Kawalazi Estate jurisdictions by surrounding communities, Hara said the estate was entitled to the land but it was unfortunate that watersheds and catchment areas are being encroached thereby breaching Malawi’s Land Rights and ecosystem which are violations of the estate’s requirement to export its tea.
“I would like to appeal to authorities including traditional leaders to see to it that these issues are addressed using win-win solutions,” Hara cited.
Chairperson for National Small Holder Tea Growers Association, Jones Muhilima appealed to government to consider linking small holder tea growers to markets as currently they sell their produce to tea estates.
He commended government for supporting about 8,500 small holder tea growers through Agriculture Commercialization Project as he asked for the assistance to be extended to more farmers.
Malawi produces about 45 to 50 million kilogrammes of tea out of which Kawalazi produces about 3.3 to 3.5 million kilogrammes.
International Tea Day is commemorated on May 21, annually but this year, Malawi celebrated the day on May 25.
Computer labs to help improve ICT skills for learners
By Andrew Gondwe
Chitipa, May 25, Mana: Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) has said the constriction of computer laboratories would assist learners to access more educational information in addressing digital gap between rural and urban schools.
Digital Communication Manager for MACRA, Clara Ngwira made the remarks Friday when she launched construction of a computer laboratory at Kalenge Community Day Secondary School (CDSS) in Chitipa District under Connect-a-School Project.
“At least 40 computers will be provided at the school. This will ensure that Kalenge CDSS students are able to learn subjects such as computer studies just like their counterparts in urban schools,” she said.
Member of Parliament (MP) for Chitipa East, Kezzie Msukwa thanked MACRA for provision of the computer laboratory which would promote Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the district.
He appealed to the community and building contractors to work hand in hand in order to come up with a high quality and strong structure.
Kalenge Area Development Committee (ADC) Chairperson, Ginlon Mulungu said the laboratory would help students gain computer skills.
"If children know how to utilize computers at their tender school age, they will never be struggling when at tertiary schools. The result is more learners will be interested to go further with education," he said.
Mulungu added that the entire community would have easy access to information on digital platforms through use of the computer laboratory.
Head Teacher for Kalenge CDSS, Aaron Thole said the school had no computers which made it difficult to introduce computer science subject at the school, saying the computer laboratory would present an opportunity for introduction of the subject.
MACRA is implementing Connect-a-School project in various schools across the country.
Nkhwangwa CDSS to have computer lab
By Willy Kadewere
Chikwawa, May 25, Mana: Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) through 'Connect A School Project' will construct an Information Communication Technology (ICT) laboratory at Nkhwangwa Community Day Secondary School (CDSS) in Chikwawa in a bid to improve education standards in rural areas,.
Speaking on Friday during a ground breaking ceremony, Finance Manager for MACRA, Limba Chapomba said the importance of the project in rural areas saying it would bridge the gap which has been there in terms of computer literacy between urban and rural learners.
"Unlike learners in urban areas who are progressing with the ICT, learners in rural areas have been denied access to ICT services due to unavailability of resources, as such the coming in of the project in rural areas will enhance ICT inclusiveness," he said.
"The project will help learners to acquire knowledge in computers at a tender age so that when they go to university, they should not have problems with computers," Chapomba added.
Member of Parliament for Chikwawa South, Ilyas Karim applauded MACRA for the initiative saying in a digital era, students must have access to ICT services in order to advance their skills in computer and research.
"We are living in a world of technology, having this kind of development is important to our community since students will have access to information through the ICT laboratory that MACRA is building in our area," he said.
Head Teacher for the School, Charles Kamanula has embraced the project saying it would enhance education standards the school as students would acquire information they want at any time from the laboratory.
One of the form 2 students, Caroline Malunga from Mangawa Village expressed gratitude with the coming of the laboratory saying it would help them to access right information from the ICT laboratory.
Meanwhile 75 schools are set to benefit from the first phase of the project across the country.
Back to Madrassah campaign bearing fruits
By Nephtali Kalumbi
Mangochi, May 25, Mana: Director of Islamic Research Care and Support (IRCS). Osman Mwale has urged Muslim women in Mangochi district to continue visiting Madrassah in order to increase their understanding on Islamic faith.
He made the call on Friday at Boli Masjid ground in Malindi when he attended Madrassah showcasing talent which women showcased such as recitation of Qur'an, poetry and drama pertaining to Islamic under back to Madrassah initiative supported by IRCS.
Mwale said IRCS has keen interest to support Muslim women across the country to familiar with Qur'an and have full knowledge of Islamic faith, with an intention to serve Allah.
"We are aware that there is a gap in some areas where some women were not able to read and write in Arabic language but today I am glad to witness that back to Madrassah initiative is a fundamental step towards achieving our objectives"
"We are able to appreciate that Muslim women are now able to recite Qur'an properly and understand the Islamic phenomenon hence this is a great achievement," he said.
Mwale urged Muslim women to love, pray each other and country as well as to support needy people regardless of their culture and religions.
"As Muslims, we are well known with supporting needy people so let us keep it up since the scriptures teach us that blessed is a hand that give,” he added.
A 75-year-old woman from Boli Masjid who benefited from the initiative, Sainati Asamu expressed gratitude and applauded IRCS for the gesture, saying back to Madrassah initiative was a profound change to her spiritual life because now she is able to read and understand the Quran.
"For the past years I was blank regarding issues of Qur'an because I was not able to read or write but today with the coming of IRCS I am sorted out.
"I appeal all Muslim women to support this initiative by attending Madrassah sessions,” she said.
Kasangazi Irrigation Scheme saving farmers
By Joel Phiri
Mzimba, May 25, Mana: Over 300 farmers under Kasangazi Irrigation Scheme in Traditional Authority (TA) Kampingo Sibande in Mzimba have expressed hope that they would not be affected much by food shortages caused by effects of El Nino induced floods and drought.
The farmers expressed the sentiments on Friday during a visit to the scheme by Zambian High Commissioner to Malawi, Panji Kaunda.
In an interview, Chairperson for the Scheme, Chindongo Chirwa said as farmers they take irrigation farming seriously to escape hunger and make money.
‘‘We don’t depend on rain fed agriculture. We have Kasangazi Dam nearby, constructed with funding from the World Bank through the Malawi Drought Recovery and Resilience Project.
“There is water flowing all year round which we use to irrigate our crops in the fields. Irrigation farming enables us harvest twice a year so we don’t have to fear hunger here,’’ he said.
Chirwa said they cultivate maize, tomato, garlic, potatoes, cabbage and beans on 45 hectares of the 100 hectare available.
Kaunda urged the farmers to take irrigation farming seriously to escape hunger caused by erratic rainfall patterns due to climate change.
‘‘Both Malawi and Zambia have this year been hit hard by climate change elements which have resulted in poor rainfall and eventually affecting yields. I encourage you to continue irrigation farming for you and your families not to face hunger,’’ he said.
Kaunda, son to former Zambian President late Kenneth Kaunda said realising the critical role of farmers in contributing to food security, he decided to visit them to learn how they are harnessing the Kasangazi Dam to grow various crops.
He said issues of climate change should jostle farmers into venturing into irrigation farming as rainfall patterns have become so unpredictable to depend on rain fed agriculture.
One of the farmers, Timve Chunga from Kaipere Village under Group Village headman Mejere Sibande bemoaned rampant fall army worms which he said have affected part of the scheme.
‘‘We appeal to authorities to help us deal with fall army worms. We sometimes apply pesticides but they still do not work. Just recently we harvested over 300 bags, we would have harvested over 800 bags if it were not for these destructive army fall worms,’’ he said.
Chief Irrigation Officer for Mzimba, Silence Chirambo said farmers should seek support from the agriculture office on such emergencies.
He said by seeking advice from agriculture extension officers the farmers would be able to buy right pesticides used to fight off army fall worms.
Use Science to drive policy decisions
By Leonard Masauli
Lilongwe, May 24, Mana: Government has been advised to using complex science to inform decisions and policies at all governance levels in the country.
The remarks have on the sidelines of a meeting at Capital Hotel in Lilongwe on Friday, aimed to build capacity to understand and use complex science in decision making in the country.
Speaking during the meeting, Head of Policy Unit at Malawi Wellcome Liverpool Programme, Dr Rhona Mijumbi said there are huge gaps in the utilization of science in decision making and policies because of low understanding of science research and hence making decisions which have benefitted from science without the science.
“We feel there are significant challenges when decision makers are interacting with complex science in the country, and they affect some decisions that would have been made and the interaction today will help to improve on certain decisions.
“For instance, if the government can identify within its cadres, people who can be trained and communicate using science and be able to support policy makers, teachers, chiefs among others, can help bring a difference in the way decisions are made and add value as we move towards agenda 2063,” she said.
Mijumbi said science is done not only to benefit researchers but to improve people’s health and their well-being, so that it helps to contribute to the socio-economic development of the country.
Deputy British High Commissioner and Development Director in Malawi, Olympia Wereko-Brobby said COVID-19 showed the importance of taking complex information and translating it to policymakers in a way that people could understand and hence the importance to use science in decision making.
“So, I think it's incredibly exciting. Malawi has a very strong, rich culture of research that we do more to work together with academics, policymakers and development partners to translate that into evidence-based policymaking.
“You will see more and more scientists going abroad and making names for themselves, but then also, more importantly, coming back here and making sure that their contribution to Malawi and its own development is noted,” she said.
A Medical Doctor in the Ministry of Health, Dr Collins Mitambo said there was huge gap between the researchers and the policy makers and hence what researchers produce mot of the times do not reach the policy makers.
“At times, policy makers look for research evidence for policy directions but they are very difficult to find. This is why through World Health Organization (WHO), we established a platform for interaction between a policy maker and a researcher so that policy makers can easily reach out for information they need from researchers,” he said.
Parliamentary Committee impressed with progress of MAREP 9
By Chisomo Kambandanga
Nkhata Bay, May 25, Mana: Chairperson for Parliamentary Committee on Commissions, Statutory Cooperations and State Enterprises, Binton Kumtsaira, said the committee was impressed with progress of the Malawi Rural Electrification Programme 9 (MAREP-9) works.
He was speaking Friday after the Committee's visit at MAREP warehouse in Mzuzu and Chigwere Trading Centre in the area of Senior Traditional Authority Nyaluwanga in Nkhata Bay.
"What the committee has observed complements sentiments made by the Minister of Energy in Parliament indicating that the programme is at advanced stage. The committee has acquired evidence based information on what is on ground,” Kumtsaira said.
He urged continued cooperation between community members and the contractor for smooth implementation of the project at Chigwere.
Director of Electricity in the Ministry of Energy, Million Mafuta said that they expect to complete the programme in all 438 sites across the country by August, 2024.
"So far, we have done almost 35 percent of the work after having resolved challenges that delayed the implementation such as shortage of materials due to shortage of forex," he disclosed.
Senior Traditional Authority Nyaluwanga hailed government for the programme saying it was a sign of its commitment and determination in developing rural areas.
He said among others, people in the area would be accorded with diverse economic opportunities by opening up businesses that rely on electricity once the programme is completed.
"Dairy farmers will be processing and preserving milk for long, hence promoting dairy industry in the area. They currently sell the milk at giveaway price to avoid it from being wasted,” Nyaluwanga added.
He pointed out that health facility in the area and some schools would be connected with electricity thereby to leading improved service delivery in the health and education sectors in the area.
Malawi Rural Electrification Programme (MAREP) is a government programme which is being implemented by Ministry of Energy with the goal of increasing access to electricity in rural and peri-urban areas to transform rural economies and reduce poverty.
