Deep in Ntcheu District, Majuwa Model School has become a shining example of progress in Early Childhood Development (ECD). Ndilindiyani Kulinji, a dedicated mentor from Group Village Head Majuwa, describes how the Investing in Early Years Project (IEYP) has revolutionised teaching practices in the area.
“In the past, early learning was informal and lacked structure,” Kulinji explains.
“Now, after five years of engagement with the project, we use tablets and innovative tools like the ‘Kiosk’ to monitor and enhance child learning.” This approach assesses children’s abilities in reading, numeracy, and language skills, categorising progress as ‘Cannot Do’, ‘Attempted’, or ‘Does Well’, allowing targeted support to each child.
Majuwa Model boasts five satellite schools, all benefiting from improved teaching methods and community participation. The number of children enrolled has increased significantly to over 86, a testament to the community’s commitment and the school’s reputation for excellence. Kulinji proudly shares success stories, including his own son, Innocent Francisco, who excels academically.
“My son is doing fine academically he has passed through this very centre,” said Kulinji.
The project also introduced ‘banki m’khonde’ (village savings and loans), which has helped families purchase essential supplies like soap, sugar, and fertiliser. This financial empowerment supports the educational environment and promotes child wellbeing.
Group Village Head Majuwa notes, “The changes are remarkable. Children are more confident and spiritually grounded, and parents see the value of education. We are determined to sustain this progress through community contributions.”
Ultimately, Majuwa Model aligns with Malawi’s National Education Policy (2016) and the National ECD Policy Framework, which call for structured, inclusive early learning. The school’s success directly supports SDG 4 by ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all children.
The districts implementing IEYP are: Zomba, Likoma, Mangochi, Machinga, Chikwawa, Chiradzulu, Thyolo, Mwanza, Neno, Mchinji, Dowa, Ntcheu and Rumphi. These districts were selected based on poor nutrition indicators and lack of partner organizations to support early childhood development and nutrition interventions.
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