The Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) yesterday commenced the construction of a state-of-the-art ICT laboratory at Nkumaniza Community Day Secondary School in Chikwawa Nkombedzi Constituency, where Abida Sidik Mia serves as Parliamentarian. According to MACRA Director General Daud Suleman, this initiative is part of MACRA’s Connect-A-School project, funded by the Universal Service Fund (USF).
The project’s first phase aims to bridge the digital divide by establishing ICT laboratories in 75 schools, including 73 community day secondary schools, one national government secondary school, and one pilot primary school.
During the groundbreaking ceremony, Minister of Water and Sanitation and Member of Parliament for the area, Abida Mia, lauded the project. She described it as a significant step towards equipping rural students with essential computer technology skills.
“This is a brilliant project that will not only benefit the students but the constituency and the district as a whole because the future of the country is in computers. The project will technologically prepare the children in their early lives because everywhere we go now it’s about computers and technology,” she said.
Macra director general Daud Sulemani said in every constituency they are putting up one structure that is hosting 40 modern computers and providing free WiFi within 100 meters of that area.
Sulemani observed that affordability of ICT gadgets in the country, especially in rural areas, is still very high with many Malawians unable to afford a computer or a smart phone.
“This project is a catalyst for driving digital access. We believe that with this effort we are going to reduce the obstacles that are there especially with people who live in remote areas,” said Sulemani.
The director general said the state-of-the-art ICT laboratory at Nkumaniza Community Day Secondary School will cost K240 million to be fully operational.
