Leading from the Classroom: How Local Ownership is Powering BEFIT at Chizimya Primary
How individual dedication and proactive planning are keeping digital learning sessions smooth at Chizimya Primary School.
Kondwani Nyirenda inspecting the gadgets after a session
At Chizimya Primary School, located in the heart of Mzimba South, a powerful dedication is changing the future of education. It is a story of an educator who refuses to let daily logistical challenges stand in the way of his children’s future. He is proving that when an individual takes ownership, real transformation happens.
When the tablet-based learning program is running, every single minute matters. But managing a digital classroom means that if tablets are not updated, or if equipment is unorganized, precious learning time is lost. Any delay in setting up means a child missing out on a vital part of a lesson.
Instead of sitting back and waiting for outside assistance to handle the daily logistics, Mr. Kondwani Nyirenda stepped up.
Taking Action into His Own Hands
Recognizing that every day matters for a child's learning, Mr. Nyirenda decided to take action. Doubling as the school's program coordinator, he took the skills he gained from training and put them straight into practice.
Kondwani at the recent IT training that was facilitated by the Ulalo IT team
Before any learning session even begins, he ensures the classroom is clean, the tablets are pre-arranged, and the headsets are ready. Because of this careful preparation, the classroom runs like clockwork. Learners switch in and out of their sessions seamlessly, cutting down transition times and maximizing time on task.
But his proactive spirit goes further. When our tech team visited Chizimya, they found Mr. Nyirenda independently checking which devices had the required software updates and neatly setting aside the ones that needed specialized assistance. Technical hiccups no longer mean a classroom gets left behind.
Kondwani checking the tablets on his day off.
A Vibrant Atmosphere in the Classroom
Mr. Nyirenda has seen firsthand the rhythm and focus this level of organization brings to the school day.
"Proactive planning is my focus," he explains. "By organizing the classroom, preparing the tablets, and checking for updates beforehand, I make sure our learners spend every single minute on task without a hitch."
The impact of this structure goes deep into the classroom. With a strict school timetable to adhere to, his coordination ensures that students get the absolute most out of their learning time. The digital tools remain active, and the classroom remains a perfectly conducive environment for children to thrive.
Kondwani checking headphones for a learner during a session
Building an Inclusive Future
This success at Chizimya shows exactly what happens when an individual embraces the spirit of our theme this month: "Building Bridges Through People."
The Building Education Foundations Through Innovation and Technology (BEFIT) program, led by the Government of Malawi, strengthens foundational literacy and numeracy for learners in Standards 1–4 across public primary schools. By using individualized, self-paced lessons delivered through Android tablets, the program ensures every child can learn in a way that suits them.
Through the proactive spirit of educators like Mr. Nyirenda, we are breaking down barriers. Because when we empower people, we build lasting bridges for development.