The headteacher of Gwengere Primary School in Dedza, Sandram Nachiola, has expressed confidence that the introduction of the Building Education Foundation Through Innovation and Technology (BEFIT) program will strengthen foundational learning and contribute to an educated community.
Speaking on Thursday at the conclusion of a two-day teacher training workshop on BEFIT, Nachiola emphasized that the tablet-based learning initiative will help reduce learning poverty by equipping Standard 1-4 learners with essential literacy and numeracy skills.
“With this program, we expect to see the return of dropouts, as they will be attracted by the tablets. Cases of absenteeism will also decrease since learners won’t want to miss lessons,” Nachiola said.
He pledged to ensure that technology-based learning is fully embraced by all teachers and praised the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education for training the entire teaching staff. This, he noted, ensures that any teacher can conduct lessons in case of an absence.
Ministry of Education Public Relations Officer Mphatso Nkuonera reaffirmed the government’s commitment to reducing learning poverty, stating that the BEFIT program will be rolled out to all 6,000 public schools by 2029.
“In schools where BEFIT is running, absenteeism has decreased, and learners are showing improved literacy and numeracy skills. We expect Gwengere to experience similar benefits,” Nkuonera said.
