By Duncan Mlanjira

Copyright maraviexpress

As MACRA’s Universal Service Fund rolls out phase 2 construction project to construct additional 120 ICT labs across the country

* First phase of the programme had 75 ICT laboratories constructed in all districts aligning with the MW2063 agenda, which advocates for every school to have access to ICT services

By Duncan Mlanjira

Beneficiary communities of Phase 2 of the Connect-a-School project which Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) has rolled out under the Universal Service Fund, have expressed their profound appreciation as they too are set to enjoy the internet connectivity from the comfort of their homes.

Community members sorrounding Ndirande Community Day Secondary School (CDSS) in Blantyre gave a huge round of applause when the news was announced by MACRA’s Postal Service Manager, Madalo Phiri at the ground breaking ceremony of the construction of the school’s information and communication technology (ICT) lab last week.

She indicated that the Connect-a-School project, whose first phase had 75 ICT laboratories constructed in all districts across the country, is aimed at not leaving anyone behind while it targets young minds to be technologically savvy in the modern digital academic studies and way of doing business.

She explained that the initiative was mooted by the Ministry of Education after taking note that learners in urban communities are ahead in use of technology than those in rural areas — thus the idea to roll out the Connect-a-School project throughout the country.

For phase 2, MACRA will construct 120 ICT labs in various districts of a capacity of 60 personnel, equipped with 20 desktop computers, solar power and free Wi-Fi for the first three years of operation — at a cost of K400 million for each school.

Phiri asked the learners at Ndirande CDSS as well as the community members to own the ICT lab by taking care of it from vandalism and theft, saying while the facility will be a government property, it will still belong to them.

She emphasised that the Connect-a-School initiative aligns with the MW2063 national vision, which advocates for every school to have access to ICT services in this digital advancement world.

The construction works is being overseen by the school’s development committee, who promised to make sure the standards are not compromised which the headteacher also pledged, saying they look forward to the completion of the project set for June 2026.

The headteacher appraised the gathering, that included the then incumbent Member of Parliament, Chipiliro Mpinganjira, that academic services they offer include theories in digital studies, which will then start at the adjacent Matope Primary School, which he described as the CDSS’ sister school.

“Digital studies in this technological advancement is very important as Malawi also offers many platforms at tertiary level for e-learning and open distance studies,” he said. “It is important that from primary to secondary, students should undergo technological training.

“We will not go full throttle to introduce computer studies and we will also make sure that we teach the students prudent use of the internet and to protect them from digital fraud and other internet abuses. We are proud that MACRA chose Ndirande CDSS for this second phase,” he said.