Member of Parliament for Mangochi Municipality Rodrick Chiwaya has donated textbooks and exercise books to Standard Eight learners in his constituency as they prepare for next year’s Primary School Leaving Certificate of Education (PSLCE) examinations.
Chiwaya said examination classes require adequate learning materials and encouragement to perform well.
«“Education is like a fight — students must be well equipped to succeed,” he said.»
He also called on businesses, farmers and other citizens to complement government efforts in supporting education.
“Government alone cannot do everything. I would like to call upon all people — businesspeople, farmers, and all those who have the ability and goodwill — to support education, especially primary school learners,” he said.
However, the exercise also highlighted serious challenges facing some schools.
At Mufti Abbas Primary School, head teacher Omar Kaunda said the school has more than 3,500 learners but only three toilets for girls, while boys have no dedicated toilets.
“Teachers offered the staff toilet to the boys so that we can maintain some level of sanitation,” Kaunda said.
He said the shortage forces some learners to use the bush, exposing them to disease and affecting learning.
“This challenge affects the learning process. Most of the time, due to the shortage of toilets, learners complain about stomach sickness, diarrhoea, and the like,” he said.
At Mpondasi Primary School, deputy head teacher Robert Masambo said the school has 6,151 learners and also needs more toilets and infrastructure.
Chiwaya said he was aware of infrastructure challenges, including shortages of toilets and teachers’ houses, adding that the K5 billion Constituency Development Fund and other funding streams could help address some of the needs.
The materials were donated to six schools: Saint Augustine One, Saint Augustine Two, Saint Augustine Three, Mpondasi, Mlambe Two and Mufti Abbas primary schools.
