Rural schools become gateways to community digital access

By Chifundo Damiano//MALAWI

The government’s initiative to equip 2,000 rural secondary schools with internet connectivity is beginning to reshape life far beyond the classroom walls.

During a tour of Phalula Community Day Secondary School in Balaka on Tuesday, Minister of Information and Communications Technology Shadric Namalomba highlighted how the project is evolving into a vital digital bridge for remote communities.

The installations fall under the Connect A School initiative led by the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA), a programme aimed at expanding digital access to underserved regions.

Namalomba noted that in many rural districts, school ICT laboratories are quickly becoming the sole dependable internet hubs for residents who previously had limited or no online access.

He said the effort is enabling people to obtain government services, educational content and other information that was traditionally out of reach due to infrastructure gaps.

“Connecting a school means connecting an entire community.

“This is how we lay the foundation for a digitally capable generation and work toward the aspirations of the Malawi 2063 agenda,” Namalomba said.

According to the minister, the project’s phased rollout has allowed both government and MACRA to monitor progress and refine their strategies using lessons from the first installations, including those at Phalula CDSS.

In her remarks, MACRA Acting Director General Mphatso Phiri said the early results show that once young people gain digital skills, the impact quickly spreads to the surrounding population through innovation and broader information access.

She also urged learners to participate in MACRA’s Digital Ambassadors Programme, which empowers youth to apply technology in solving community-based challenges.

Within the South East Education Division (SEED), education officials report noticeable academic improvements in schools with operational ICT labs.

SEED Secondary Schools Desk Officer Nancy Winiko said institutions that have received equipment are already recording better examination outcomes.

At Phalula CDSS, head teacher Francis Chimwaza said the digital lab has helped address chronic shortages of textbooks by giving students the ability to research online and download learning materials.

Chimwaza shared that since the lab was introduced in 2023, the school’s MSCE pass rate has risen, with top-performing students now achieving between 17 and 19 points.

Phalula is among 10 schools nationwide benefiting from MACRA’s current phase of installations, alongside Bolero in Rumphi, Embangweni School for the Deaf in Mzimba, Chinthembwe in Ntchisi, Nsaru in Lilongwe, Madzanje in Ntcheu, Mua School for the Deaf in Dedza, Mlomba in Machinga, Mulanje Rehabilitation Centre in Mulanje and Malimba in Chiradzulu.