Ministry rolls out offline digital learning platform
Ministry of Education has launched Aptus, an offline digital resource that will help students and educators to access digital learning platforms and content without the need for Internet and electricity.
The ministry’s Principal Secretary (PS) Chikondano Mussa said this at Santhe Secondary School in Kasungu on Friday during the launch of the Aptus pilot phase project that will see 15 schools benefitting.
She said the Aptus is an education technology (EdTech) that has the entire secondary curriculum in form of self-instructional e-modules for students (and teachers) from open secondary schools and others to access within reasonable radius.
Rajih Mdalangwa
Said Mussa: “The Aptus will support day and other secondary students to supplement their learning outside of the classroom. Teachers will be able to access the material and enrich their preparation and support to students.”
She called on the ministry’s officials to work on easing the availability of devices such as computers, tablets or smartphones for students and teachers to use in accessing the new platform.
The ministry has already trained head teachers from the 15 pilot schools in Chitipa, Karonga, Kasungu, Lilongwe, Salima, Mchinji, Zomba, Balaka, Mulanje, Phalombe, Chikwawa, Mwanza and Neno in using the Aptus as well as leading and managing open schooling.
During the launch, the PS warned head teachers and ministry officials against any misuse of public resources.
On her part, the ministry’s director for Secondary Education Dr. Florida Banda assured the PS that her directorate and the ministry will not betray the public trust.
With the country’s low net enrollment rate of 16 percent and transition rate of 37 percent into secondary schools, it is expected that the Aptus technology will increase education access to more students and enhance teacher’s delivery of lessons.
Through collaboration with Commonwealth of Learning, the Malawi Open Innovative Schooling Aptus Pilot Project will see students accessing learning materials on gadgets without the need for Internet connectivity
