Minister of Education calls on stakeholders to support infrastructure development in schools

Malawi-Minister of Education, Madalitso Kambauwa Wirima, has urged stakeholders to supplement government efforts to ensure increased access to education through the provision of infrastructure and furniture, writes Andrew Magombo, MANA.

Speaking during her keynote address on Thursday at the official opening of Chunzu Primary School in Dowa, Wirima emphasized the need for partnerships in improving education in Malawi.

“Government cannot single-handedly afford to construct new primary schools where they are needed; therefore, may I appeal to other partners to emulate the gesture by Great Minds Bright Futures,” Wirima said.

She further urged other partners and well-wishers to support the provision of infrastructure and school furniture and other supplies, as the new school still lacks teachers’ houses and adequate desks.

Wirima highlighted the Tonse government’s commitment to achieving the Malawi Agenda 2063 through the Malawi Implementation Plan (MIP–1), which emphasizes the importance of ensuring school-children access compulsory basic education in a conducive environment.

“Malawi may not be able to achieve economic development and prosperity if children are denied access to quality education due to inadequate infrastructure,” she added.

The new Chunzu Primary School was built with the help of the Great Minds Bright Futures organization, which provided 8 new classroom blocks, toilets and administration offices.

Founder of Great Minds Bright Futures Davie Armstrong expressed his contentment that the school is finally being handed over to the government had visited the place in 2017 and saw the need for infrastructure development.

“This donation complements efforts of government in rendering the best education for children in Malawi, I am glad that finally the community will take over and put it to use,” Armstrong said.

Armstrong, who has stayed in Malawi for 17 years, also mentioned that he has built an orphanage next to the school and is currently engaging other partners for possible rural business opportunities for the children in the future.

Dowa South East Legislator Halima Daudi, who is also the Deputy Minister of Health, urged her constituents to take care of the infrastructure, citing lasting impacts for future generations.

“As the Member of Parliament for the area, I am really happy because old classes are not in good shape making children vulnerable to heavy rain downpours and accidents,” Daudi said.

Chunzu Primary School has an enrolment of 1,643 learners (803 girls and 840 boys) and 17 teachers (14 males and 3 females).