The research focuses on investigating the factors affecting broadband connectivity in Malawian ordinary schools with the aim to understand the challenges that characterizes the current low broadband penetration. The aim of this study is to use the research instruments to derive critical information (from data collection sources), that will inform the development of relevant measures and recommendations required to address the challenges in providing broadband connectivity in schools. The premise for this research is that Malawi has policies and regulations that support the provision of broadband connectivity in schools and that these policy and regulatory tools should advance the roll-out of broadband in schools.

In investigating the challenges with the broadband provision in Malawi ordinary schools, the study will focus on examining the institutional arrangements, strengths and weaknesses of the existing policies and regulations that seek to promote broadband provision in schools. It will look at the effectiveness of the existing funding and investment mechanisms that aims at supporting schools connectivity to determine the appropriate funding model.

The study will also examine the adequacy of the available broadband infrastructure to connect schools, focusing on infrastructure roll-out challenges. It will also focus on identifying other key barriers in providing broadband connectivity to schools, with a view to understand both education and ICT related factors that brought about the current state of affairs.

The study sources data from documents review and interviews. It will also explore the literature review that focuses on the rationale of integrating broadband connectivity in schools (exploring the opportunities and challenges), on understanding the educational value of broadband connectivity and on the provision of broadband infrastructure in schools.