This story is adapted with permission from ULALO, one of the local Implementation Service Providers in Malawi helping to rollout the national BEFIT program. You can read the original story on the ULALO website.
Doris, a 10-year-old learner now in Standard 5 in a primary school in Mzimba North Malawi, attributes much of her academic progress to the government owned and led Building Education Foundations through Innovation and Technology (BEFIT) program, which helped shape the strong foundation in numeracy and literacy that she now carries forward.
Doris began using the BEFIT tablets in Standard 4, a period during which the program made a significant impact on her literacy and numeracy skills.
“The tablets made learning so exciting,” Doris recalls. “When I was using the tablet, I could practice my reading and math at my own pace. It helped me understand things better.”
Academic Improvements
The BEFIT program, which focuses on improving reading and numeracy outcomes for students in Standards 1 to 4, played a crucial role in Doris’s early education. Through interactive lessons, Doris was able to correct her mistakes quickly and build her confidence in her academic abilities. “The tablet sessions gave me a chance to try again when I made mistakes. I could keep learning until I got it right,” she says.
Doris’ Standard 4 teacher Kondwani Nyirongo agrees, “Doris’s improvement was remarkable, especially with the help of the BEFIT tablets. Her ability to grasp reading and maths concepts quickly showed her commitment to her learning. It was wonderful to see how much she had grown, and she continues to be a shining example in the classroom.”
Continued Success
By the time Doris moved on to Standard 5, the strong academic foundation she built through BEFIT had made a noticeable difference. “Standard 5 feels easier because I am more confident in my reading and math skills,” Doris shares. “The lessons from the tablets gave me the tools I need to keep improving.”
Though Doris no longer uses the tablets in Standard 5, the skills she gained during her time in Standard 4 continue to enhance her learning, helping her secure the top position in the first term of the new class.
“Doris is a true example for others,” shared Rehab Chipezeyani, Standard 5 Teacher. “Not only does she excel in her own learning, but she also takes the time to help her peers. Doris often teaches her friends how to read and improve their maths skills, using the tools she gained through the BEFIT programme. Her growth, thanks to BEFIT, inspires those around her.”
The foundation she received through the BEFIT program has set her up for continued success, equipping her with the literacy and numeracy skills necessary to thrive in her future education.
Doris’s story is a powerful example of how early interventions like BEFIT can provide lasting benefits. Through the program, thousands of students in Mzimba have built a strong educational foundation that will support them for years to come, just like Doris, as they continue to pursue their dreams.