Malawi's government has entered into a deal with TNM to provide free internet to learners.

With all private and public schools closed due to Coronavirus (COVID-19), the Malawi government has signed a MOU with Telekom Networks Malawi (TNM) to provide free internet to learners.

President Peter Mutharika announced the closure of all schools, colleges including technical colleges, as well as public and private universities from 23 March 2020 as part of efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19.

After putting pen to paper at a ceremony in Lilongwe recently, the Minister of Education Science and Technology William Susuwele Banda said online learning is one way to circumvent the adverse impact of COVID-19 on the education sector.

“Over 5.4 million children, youth and adults in the country, have not been attending schools or universities as a result of COVID-19 precautionary measures,” said the Minister.

He added that the government has received support from the private sector, especially the telecommunications sector, and referred specifically to TNM PLC ‘who have graciously and selflessly offered to provide free access to online education content to students in order to access lessons.’

TNM Plc will assist in making educational material available for upload via the Ministry’s website, at no data cost, with the only prerequisite being a TNM number.

TNM CEO Michiel Buitelaar said: “The relevance of digital literacy cannot be overemphasised, especially under the #COVID-19times where most operations are happening from home.”