Everyday, she leaves Sadzi Township to go to school. She always looks forward to meeting her friends.
From Monday to Friday, this is the routine for Mphatso Mauwa, a seven-year-old Standard 4 learner at St Joseph Girls Primary School in Zomba city.
In recent years, her motivation to attend school has grown. In 2023, tablets were introduced to complement teacher-led learning.
At home, Mphatso and her two siblings are not allowed to use tablets or smartphones, which are restricted to their parents.
At school, however, she has the opportunity to use a tablet. Alefa, the teacher in charge of the tablets, has helped improve her literacy and numeracy skills.
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“It is very exciting to learn using tablets. Alefa has been very helpful to us. She teaches us Mathematics and reading and also teaches comprehension skills. I always look forward to coming to school because of the experience I get from using the tablet,” Mphatso explains.
When she returns home, she shares the lessons she learns from Alefa with her siblings and they all benefit.
Her mother, Dorica Genti, has noted that teaching children using tablets has accelerated their understanding of concepts.
“This technology has made a significant difference in my child’s education. She can now read in English and Chichewa and has improved her numeracy skills,” she says.
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The tablet-based learning that Mphatso is experiencing is part of the Building Education Foundations through Innovation and Technology (Befit) programme.
The Ministry of Education is implementing the programme with support from a consortium consisting of Imagine Worldwide (IW), Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) and OneBillion (OB).
The programme aims to improve primary school children’s literacy and numeracy skills using education technology that complements teacher efforts across Malawi.
St Joseph Girls Primary School’s Deputy Head Teacher, Ethel Chafuta, says that since the programme was introduced, the school’s enrolment has risen from 1,800 to 2,100.
“These gadgets are attracting many learners to the school. They can read in English and develop other skills such as mathematics. Parents are pleased to see their children using the devices,” she says.
The Creative Centre for Community Mobilisation (Creccom) is the Ministry of Education’s partner for implementing the programme in Zomba Urban.
Its Executive Director, Alinafe Chibwana, says she is impressed with the tablets’ impact on children’s learning.
“The tablets have motivated young learners. When they return home, they tell their friends about learning with the devices. This has led to an influx of children to schools using the tablets,” she explains.
In Zomba Urban, the Befit programme is being implemented at St Joseph Girls Primary School, Chikamveka Primary School and Mpotola Primary School, targeting Standards 1 to 4.
Principal Education Officer for Zomba Urban, Gladwell Mithenga, says the programme aligns with foundational education priorities.
“We can see learners acquiring numeracy skills, solving both simple and complex mathematical problems, and improving literacy skills,” he says.
Similar progress has been recorded in Zomba Rural. The district has 206 schools, but the programme is being implemented in 27.
One of these schools is Mwandama Primary School. Its Head Teacher, Esther Katama, says absenteeism among Standards 1 to 4 learners has declined since the programme began.
“The learners are rarely absent as they look forward to coming to school to learn different skills using the tablets. They are currently performing well in reading and solving mathematical problems,” she says.
In Zomba Rural, Befit’s implementing partner is Edukans Malawi. Its Programme Manager, Patrick Mayele, attributes the programme’s success to cooperation among all stakeholders.
“We have received a very positive response from learners and teachers. We have also seen strong community support, as parents are actively backing the programme,” he says.
In Chikwawa, similar progress is evident. At Namicheni Primary School, learners are eager to attend classes. The school’s Head Teacher, George Batison, praises the programme.
“It has enhanced numeracy and literacy skills among our learners. They can also follow stories. The tablets have encouraged attendance, and absenteeism has decreased,” he says.
Susan Dan, a parent from Besitala Village, Traditional Authority Lundu, applauds the government for introducing the programme.
“Since the school began using tablets to support learning, our children are always eager to go to school. They can now read and write and have improved their numeracy skills. Things are much better,” she says.
Chikwawa Principal Education Advisor, Chipiliro Mataka Zayinga, says the government plans to expand the programme to all 186 schools in the district by 2029.
“As a district, we are looking forward to a day when all our schools will have tablets,” she says.
The tablet-based learning intervention for learners in Standards 1 to 4 in Malawi’s public primary schools is expected to reach around 3.8 million learners in 6,000 schools. The rollout is taking place in six phases from September 2023 to August 2029.
The Ministry of Education leads the programme, while IW, VSO and OB provide technical, operational and coordination support.
