Malawi schoolkids given tablet computers: Bringing teaching up to date

A new way of using tablet computers in schools could change how children are taught at a primary in Lilongwe.

Netherlands based Institute for International Communications Development (IICD) in partnership with Forum for African Women Educators (FAWEMA) Malawi Chapter and Association for Christian Educators in Malawi (ACEM) have launched a 70,000 Euro Tablet computer project to enhance digital communication between teachers and learners in Lilongwe Rural East Zone.

The Institute also handed over almost 60 state-of-the-art computer tablets to Tsabango 1 Primary School with an aim of promoting primary education using portable computers (tablets).

IICD Technical Advisor Maurizio Bricola said Friday during the launch of the project that the initiative though in a pilot phase will see more Malawian young people learn computer while they are at primary level.

“The world has become digital therefore these youths will be able to know what is happening in the world at the same time learning their normal lessons in class,” he said.

Adding that the project is working towards a generation of a digital Malawi students.

Bricola said the project will roll out to other primary schools by next year and later it will be across the country.

FAWEMA Project Officer Wales Chigwenembe said the project is of beneficial to both learners and teachers because they can easily communicate in class through the tablets.

The tablets have been given to both teachers and learners but those given to teachers have a control system.

“Using these devices in class, the teacher is able to control the dynamics in a classroom,” he said.

If a student is playing instead of following what the teacher is saying using the lessons on the tablet, then the teacher can block that student, he said.

Chigwenembe also said teachers can download text books which they can be using for teaching in their classes.

Headmaster for the school Christford Kadzipatira commended the institute for the kind gesture showed to his school.

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