By Steve Chirombo

Dedza, May 21, Mana: Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) has set aside K400 million from its Universal Access Fund for the construction of Information Communication Technology (ICT) laboratories in four Community Day Secondary Schools (CDSSs) in Dedza district under the Connect-A-School project.

MACRA IT Manager, Gabriel Alli, said his organization hopes that through the development, they will bring ICT knowledge to students, especially in rural areas, as one way of imparting them with basic knowledge of computer usage and also bringing the ICT services across the country.

Alli made the remarks at Mpatawamilonde CDSS in Senior Group Village Head, Chamadenga, Traditional Authority Kaphuka in Dedza Central East on Monday during a groundbreaking event.

He said they will provide 60 computers at each site and some lessons for students with communities around benefiting from services that will be offered.

“We are living in a modern world and the coming in of the computer laboratories in primary and secondary schools will reduce the digital gap that is there,” he said.

He said, through the initiative, MACRA believes in achieving a significant reduction in digital gaps by 2063 while urging for a speedy construction of the sites.  

Head teacher for Mpatawamilonde CDSS, Bazwell Kalume, hailed MACRA for the intervention saying apart from students acquiring ICT knowledge, they will be able to do research on various topics on top of the motivation that will see them in school. 

Member of Parliament (MP) for the area, Joshua Malango, said once completed, the site will enhance learners’ practical experience in the use of ICT.

He said apart from the laboratories and the 60 computers, MACRA is also bringing in free Wi-Fi will enable both learners and teachers to research on several topics.