Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) Synod of Livingstonia has trained 52 caregivers and other stakeholders in Mzimba district on how to conduct early childhood development (ECD) lessons using tablets, also known as early learning kiosks (ELK). 

Speaking on Friday at the end of a three-day seminar at Milala CCAP church in the district, the Synod’s ECD department executive director, Reverend Edward Kamthuzi said digitalized ECD programme will build the capacity of ECD personnel.  

He said: “Oftentimes, caregivers make lessons out of nowhere because of a dire need for teaching material but with ELK, we will have a harmonised syllabus and improve the quality of ECD in Malawi.”

Kamthuzi added that there would be a good transition of children from community-based childcare centres (CBCCs) to primary schools which will ensure academic excellence, and ultimately break the circle of poverty in the country. 

He however appealed to government to raise the number of caregivers to be included on the honoraria and eventually professionalise ECD services by recruiting well-trained personnel who should be on salaries like primary school teachers.

Group village headman (GVH) Peter Ndabandaba  appealed to parents and guardians to send their three to five-year-old children to school so that they can access quality ECD lessons. 

One of the caregivers, Towera Longwe said ELK does not only ease their work but also provides all the content such as a knowhow app and child steps app which enables a caregiver to deliver quality preschool education. 

Apart from caregivers, the training also oriented 17 headteachers and 15 Standard One teachers on the efficiency of ELK.

The Synod gave seven sets of tablets including batteries and solar kits to each learning group, comprising three to four CBCCs plus a primary school.

The tablets come under Malawi government mentorship programme in which Roger Federer Foundation donated 3,000 tablets.