Chakwera launches construction of 10,900 classroom blocks, calls on guardians to encourage their children to attain education

By Cedric Nkungula

President Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera has advised guardians in the country to take a leading role in encouraging their wards to go to school and attain education.

President Chakwera made the remarks today at Chikololere Primary School where he launched the construction of ten thousand nine hundred (10,900) cost effective classroom blocks under the Malawi Education Reform (MERP) Programme at Golomoti in Dedza.

In his remarks, President Chakwera emphasized that construction of modern classroom blocks coupled with availability of teachers including the provision of learning materials is nothing kids are not encouraged to go to school.

On this point, President Chakwera explained that young people are the future of the country hence the need to invest heavily in the primary education in order to mould them into reliable citizens.

“Building a new Malawi will only be possible if we concentrate on improving the standards of child education for our kids who are in majority,” he emphasized.

While praising World Bank for sponsoring the construction of the cost effective classroom block, President Chakwera called on ministry of education to coax the bank to also consider sponsoring construction of modern houses for teachers in the country.

Speaking earlier, Minister of Education Madalitso Kambauwa Wirima said her ministry is leaving no stone unturned to improve learning facilities countrywide.

She explained that her ministry will soon employ 4,200 Auxilliary teachers to help to make education accessible to everyone.  

In his remarks, Hugh Riddell, Country Manager for Malawi World Bank said education for the young people is very important to a nation.

He said construction of the school blocks will help reduce congestion in schools by half.

Riddell also expressed delight that 4,000 Auxilliary teachers will be employed to assist in the teaching process.

“We look forward to continuing this excellent partnership to help improve education standards in the country,” he said.

Chikololere Primary School Headteacher Bridget Mseteka said their facility accommodates 1,982 pupils in 6 class-room blocks and hence learners have had difficulties concentrating on their studies due to lack of learning space.

“This initiative will help improve learner attendance,” she added.

In his remarks, Member of Parliament for the area, Patrick Siyabonga Bandawe praised the president for deciding to launch the project in Golomoti.

“No government has ever constructed ten thousand classrooms blocks at one go. This is an indication that you really value education of our kids,” he emphasized.

Senior Chief Kachindamoto hailed President Chakwera for the various development projects taking place in her area.

He appealed to people in the country to join hands with government to develop Malawi.