Kabwila Advocates for Africa to Embrance EdTech for a Brighter Future
Minister of Higher Education, Dr. Jessie Kabwira, has commended African Union Development Agency (AUDA) and the New Partnership for Africa`s Development (NEPAD) and its partners for launching the African EdTech 2030 Vision, Plan, and Policy Framework, describing the development as a bold commitment to transforming education across the continent.
Kabwila made the remarks on Tuesday during the African EdTech 2030 Vision and Plan Forum, hosted by Centre for Mathematics, Science, and Technology Education in Africa (CEMASTEA) in Kenya Nairobi, urging African countries to take the lead in shaping their own digital education future.
She emphasised that Africa should not wait for external forces but instead take charge of its digital transformation, underscoring the importance of ensuring that EdTech (Education Technology) addresses African needs by respecting local languages, values, and the real-life challenges faced by learners and educators.
“We are young, energetic, and ready to redefine Africa’s greatness through technology and innovation,” she said.
Delivering her inspiring keynote address at the African EdTech 2030 Vision and Plan Forum, Kabwila provided examples of how EdTech is making a difference in Malawi. She highlighted that students are conducting science experiments on tablets offline (MiLab), using solar-powered devices, teachers are receiving training via WhatsApp and e-learning, and rural learners are accessing education through radio and phone-based lessons.
The Director of Science, Technology, and Innovation, Associate Professor Chomora Mikeka, stated that the event marks a new era in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) for Malawi to track the progress as provided for in the Draft National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy (NSTIP) Monitoring and Evaluation Framework.
Associate Pro. Mikeka also emphasised the country`s stand to gain significantly from its active participation in such transformative initiatives, which aim to standardize, harmonize, and mobilize efforts to scale up Africa’s development with its partners.
