Independent School Association of Malawi (ISAMA) has stressed the need for embracing digital means towards improving the country’s education sector.

ISAMA President Bishop Wycliffe Chimwendo made the call in Lilongwe during opening of a two-day second national conference of the Association.

According to Chimwendo, the recent natural disasters which Malawi faced have shown that it is vital for the nation to consider adopting digital ways of delivering education.

He said: “Education is no longer just done on a conventional approach; it is now on digital platforms. Globally education has gone on the digital platform.

“So, we would like schools to embrace Information and Communications Technology (ICT) as a way forward for education.”

The ISAMA President added that delegates at the conference will deliberate on environment as it is also negatively affecting education in as far as issues to do with climate change are concerned.

“These are very crucial, we would like to nurture and conserve our environment to mitigate the problems we have been facing due to deforestation, we would like this to be a forum where we can address and bring solution so that we can do better,” said Chimwendo.

On her part, Minister of Education Madalitso Kambauwa Wirima called upon ISAMA to collaborate with other stakeholders on knowledge sharing and implementation of the adopted ideas.

“As a Ministry, we deeply value the vital role independent schools play in complementing the government’s efforts in the education sector.

“The collaboration between public and private institutions is essential for achieving our shared goal of providing quality education to all our citizens,” said Wirima.

The two-day conference, is happening under the them: “Ensuring Smart Education Delivery in Independent Schools with ICT and Emergency Solutions”.

The roundtable has brought together school owners and administrators, both local and international.