An ever-increasing advance in technology is changing the way people in Malawi behave, work and communicate. It has been made possible through technology. Communication is increasingly becoming simple with the coming on the Internet, Facebook, and Twitter and, for some, life is becoming easier. People find information through the click of a button. For them, technology may replace the classroom in the near future.
Yet, there are still problems for one of the poorest nations on earth. A visit to rural primary schools reveals the great gap between students in towns and cities, and those in village schools. Unlike urban students who have access to improved technology such as the Internet, students in rural areas depend on information from teachers and the few books they have available to them. When books are available, which is seldom, they move from one hand to another at a rapid rate. These differences in resources widen the gap between the groups, and this is expected to continue into the future.
On a recent visit to Maula primary school, in the eastern district of Zomba, we uncovered the suffering the students face if they wish to access reading materials. At this school, books are limited to only the teachers. The school has one teacher’s house, and two classroom blocks. The third classroom is made of grass, and accommodates standard (grade) one. Other teachers come from nearby villages where they rent houses. Lack of housing at the school discourages teachers from working there, hence a reduced number of teachers. Add this fact to the lack of books and it equals a failing education.
During the visit pupils were given pencils and clothes. These were meant to reduce the problem of school dropout or lack of clothing. The head teacher of the school, Mr. Charles Dan Khondiwa disclosed the school faces an increased dropout rate, primarily among the girls. He said, “Many of these kids do not have clothes, and drop out of school to look for piece work (odd jobs) to raise money.” Visiting one of the classrooms we were introduced to a small cupboard, which serves as a book bank or library. Pupils visit the room to study. Like many other schools in the Malawi, this school has a handful of books, many of which have lived beyond their time. The head teacher revealed that the problem of books and other learning materials is very serious at this school. It is a common problem for many schools. Internet and other sources of information will not, in the short run, replace the need for books in the Malawi schools.
It remains a fact that if kids are provided adequate teaching and learning resources, they will perform well in their academic journey. It can in the long run, transform their lives and bring change to the nation.
– Wilson Isaac Tembo