Minister of Basic Education, Madalitso Kumbauwa Wirima, has applauded the Malawi Education Reform Programme (MERP) for playing a part in decongesting schools.
Wirima made these remarks in Zomba when she visited Matiya school, a beneficiary of MERP.
She said the project has constructed a number of school blocks in the country which has eased some of the challenges that her ministry faces.
“There have been a lot of challenges in the sector, mainly that of basic education, where most primary schools lack school blocks, desks, WASH facilities, and there is a history to that…I am just very happy that MERP is coming as an intervention,” the minister said.
Chief Executive Officer for Zomba City Council, Arkangel Bakolo, expressed gratitude with the outcomes of MERP.
“MERP has dressed our educational nakedness in the city. Through the project, we have seen the construction of school blocks in highly populated schools in Zomba city, this commendable.” He said.
Nellie Mkwaso, Headteacher for Matiya Primary School, concurred sentiments with Bakolo on the change that MERP has brought to Matiya.
“As a headteacher, I am happy that Matiya is having a new face with the coming of this school block. We used to have few classrooms but all of that now is history,” Mkwaso said.
Group Village Headman Chikanda said the project has the potential to raise educational standards.
Matiya Primary is among the six schools in Zomba Urban that have benefited from the MERP project.
Currently, the school has a population of 1, 783 learners 862 are boys while 921 are girls.
By Emily M’mangisa, MANA
