A Rwandan delegation led by Dr. Flora Mutezigaju, Deputy Director General of the Rwanda Basic Education Board (REB), has praised Malawi’s Building Education Foundations Through Innovation and Technology (BEFIT) programme, describing it as a transformative model for education reform across Africa.
The delegation, which included Chief Digital Officer Bella Rwigamba and Tuyizere Esther Shaban, an advisor to Rwanda’s Minister of Education, commended Malawi’s efforts in addressing systemic challenges through scalable, tech-driven solutions.
Dr. Rachel Chimbwete Phiri, Secretary for Malawi’s Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, said the BEFIT programme is currently being implemented in 960 schools, serving over 580,000 learners using 141,000 tablets. She added that the ministry plans to expand the initiative to all 6,000 public schools by 2029, aiming to reach 3.8 million children annually and 11 million over the programme’s full course.
“This isn’t just about tablets. It’s about electrifying schools, upskilling teachers, and creating jobs,” said Phiri.
Solar installations in the participating schools have addressed electricity gaps, extended study hours, and improved girls’ school attendance.
With Rwanda now exploring how to adapt the BEFIT model, the programme stands out as a powerful example of South-South collaboration showcasing how affordable, high-impact innovations can redefine education in resource-constrained environments.
