ICT vital for development—Macra

Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (Macra) has said the country can accelerate information and communication technology (ICT) develoment   if it introduces the programme in primary and secondary schools as is the case in Rwanda.

Speaking during Girls in ICT Day celebrations at Ekwendeni Girls Secondary School in Mzimba, Macra director general Andrew Kumbatira said Rwanda has made strides in ICT by initiating such programmes in schools.

Said Kumbatira: “Pupils in Rwanda stopped using notebooks long ago as government introduced use of computers. If you go to Rwanda, you will find pupils using laptops in primary schools.  With such an initiative, Rwanda is advancing in technology.”

He said Malawi has to follow Rwanda’s path of taking ICT to primary and secondary schools. He said for a start, Macra will equip secondary schools nationwide with computers and the project will roll out next year.

Macra has, however, already started equipping girls secondary schools to motivate girls.  Ekwendeni Girls Secondary school received 15 computers and local area network.

Macra board member Gladys Mwale said girls and boys should be given equal access to ICT if the country is to develop. She said there is need for parents to encourage girls to embark on ICT programmes and provide them with necessary equipment.

Macra also donated computers to six community radios in the Northern Region to ease their operation woes. It urged the radios to give people accurate information and stick to license conditions.