Residents of Dama Village, under Traditional Authority Dambe in Mchinji, have commended the Norwegian Church Aid – DanChurchAid (NCA-DCA) for constructing a model nursery school in their community.
Senior Chief Dambe urged parents to ensure that all children attend nursery school, warning that those who neglect to do so will face penalties.
Director of Administration in the Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare, Ben Mbwana, said the government is committed to building and improving nursery schools across the country, especially in rural areas.
He noted that while urban centers have many nursery schools, rural communities often lag behind, creating an educational gap.
“This initiative is helping to bridge the divide between children in towns and those in villages by ensuring equal access to early childhood education,” Mbwana said.
NCA-DCA Country Director, Stephan Jansen, said the project, supported by the Norwegian Embassy, has established six model Early Childhood Development Centers—three in Mchinji and three in Rumphi.
He added that the organization is also providing learning materials such as books, toys, and furniture.
Jansen stressed that beyond education, the project also focuses on improving nutrition and access to clean water, with the ultimate goal of transforming the lives of 150,000 farmers.
By Chancy Chirwa, Mchinji
