By Patience Longwe

Dedza, May 23, Mana: Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) says construction of an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) laboratory at Chitundu Community Day Secondary School (CDSS) in Dedza North will help learners access information through the internet.

This was said during a Connect-a-School groundbreaking ceremony at Chitundu CDSS in Dedza on Wednesday.

MACRA Head of Computer Emergency Response Team, Christopher Banda, said the project will bring life to the national ICT policy and align it with the Malawi 2063, which is youth centric and puts digitalization at the heart of national transformation.

"The establishment of ICT computer laboratories across Malawi is a direct reflection of the visionary leadership of the country's president and his unwavering commitment to transforming Malawi into a digital empowered nation,” he said.

Banda added that the project is not just another initiative but a catalyst that will drive digital access and adoption, bridging the digital divide in the education sector.

Member of Parliament for Dedza North, Save Kafwafwa, said the project means a great development for rural areas since the generation is relying on technology that is not leaving anyone behind.

"This is a great project for us being a rural area. Some of the students have never seen a computer and this is a very wonderful development for rural areas to have that access,” said Kafwafwa.

Head Teacher for Chitundu CDSS, Mathias Bwemba, said the laboratories will help learners at the school to access information through the internet and offer them an opportunity to use computers.

MACRA is constructing laboratories in 75 schools; including 73 CDSSs, one government national secondary school and one pilot primary school.