Empowering Malawi's Education: The Inspiring Story of Robson Kondowe

Robson Kondowe, a seasoned educator with over two decades of experience, is driving a program of meaningful change in Northern Malawi.

At 55 years old, the  father of four, radiates warmth and enthusiasm as he reflects on his journey gaining computer skills that he now wishes to bring to his community.

"I did a training on [how to use] Zoom two weeks ago, now you are the first person to be connected to Zoom with me. That's wonderful," he shared during our interview, his voice brimming with excitement at the prospect of embracing technology in his profession.

Kondowe's tenure working for the Northern Education Division, has seen him don multiple hats from being a headteacher at a secondary school, serving as the quality assurance officer for a cluster of 13 schools in the northern part of country to now working as the Primary Education Advisor at Ipyana Primary School.

His passion for education was ignited in his youth, nurtured by a teacher who became a role model for him.

“When he was teaching, I thought I would also teach like him,” Kondowe reminisces, his admiration palpable. “He gave me a high moral [standing] and I had a very good interest in joining because of that teacher.”

In rural parts of Malawi, where challenges like excessive absenteeism, school dropouts and pregnancies plague the education landscape, Kondowe's role extends beyond traditional teaching.

After Karonga district was hit by an earthquake several years ago, Kondowe was selected to train in counselling during the crisis.

After obtaining his diploma, he pursued a degree in Guidance and Counselling from Lilongwe University, and now he endeavours to address the multifaceted issues hindering students' academic journeys.

“It is my duty that I do it when teachers face some challenges, whether professional or personal,” he asserted, emphasising the importance of providing holistic support to both students and those responsible for them.

Kondowe meets with teachers, students and families alike in a private environment where they are comfortable in order for him to talk to them to offer them support.

“When I was a headteacher the schools were doing very well because of this counselling.

“I was different from other headteachers, I was giving the right direction to lead through the guidance and counselling.”

Kondowe's dream to reach those in need of psychological support might now be possible thanks to a chance encounter in 2022 with Barros Mweso, who runs Fast Networks (Unconnected.org’s partner on the ground in Malawi.)

“I was very surprised to see that there was free internet, so from that moment, I got interested,” Kondowe said recalling his excitement at the prospect of ushering in a new era of connectivity in rural schools.

Together, they have since spearheaded initiatives to introduce digital infrastructure in four schools in an adventure that bore fruit with the recent installation of Starlink internet in each of them.

“The Lusako School is now enjoying the free internet, enjoying the computers with a number of learners now sitting on a computer.

“They know how to operate a computer, they can connect to the web, connect to the cloud in the lab,” Kondowe beams with pride, reflecting on the tangible impact of technological integration in education.

From Chipunga to Katiri the ripple effect of internet accessibility has begun to bridge the digital chasm that once separated these rural communities from the digital realm. Kondowe envisions a future where Malawian students, once deprived of ICT exposure, can navigate the digital landscape with confidence."Most of the students here, especially in the primary schools, they are not exposed to ICT,” he told us. “So, I thought if some schools are going to be digitalised, that would be easy for the learners to improve their knowledge.”

Having internet access installed in Ipyana in September 2023 marked a new chapter for not just students but also teachers like Fasani who has been propelled to harness the power of technology in her pedagogical pursuits.

"Teachers who are competent in technology can use the computers two days a week when they are not teaching," Kondowe explained.

He continued, “We have teachers who are studying, we have teachers who are teaching, teachers who want even more research, so they have got that access to get information to teach students; even students themselves they can have access to get some information.”

The five desktops in his office provided by UNICEF Kondowe hopes will not just be used for learning but also for providing pastoral care to those who need it, as counselling can be offered online.

In terms of the effects on the wider community Kondowe explains that it can also have an economic benefit due to the dependence on agriculture in the area.

“In Ipyana, some of them are farmers that grow rice, maize and cassava, whilst some of them are fishermen. So, I hope in the near future, if they're connected and they have access to this free internet, they will definitely sell the items on the web.”

Yet, amidst the strides towards further digital empowerment, Kondowe remains cognisant of the challenges that lie ahead.

“We just need to have strategies over maintaining it, security-wise, and we also need to expand the capability in terms of distance coverage,” he said, acknowledging the need for sustained efforts to ensure the longevity and inclusivity of technological initiatives.

Kondowe envisions a future where every Malawian student, irrespective of their geographical location, can unlock their potential through the integration of technology into their education.

“I feel that will help them to improve even their thinking, connecting themselves to the web and to the cloud.

“They'll be able now to talk to each other using WhatsApp, Zoom and all those sort of communication tools.”

He mused, “They will not have problems, especially when they go further with education to universities.

“If you come to Malawi and then you go to Chipunga, you really appreciate that it's a really rural area, and then you appreciate how good it is for them to touch a screen of a desktop, a screen of a laptop, a screen of Android phones.”