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Airtel Malawi hands over school block to Salima LEA

 — Reaffirms its commitment to developing infrastructure at the school

Indeed, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a step! What started as a mere adoption of Salima Integrated LEA School in 2011 is fast bearing concrete developmental fruits courtesy of Airtel Malawi.

Airtel Malawi on Tuesday handed over a pair of newly constructed school blocks for Salima LEA. The new blocks comprise five classrooms altogether and they now add colour and splendour to the other two-class roomed block which Airtel already constructed.

Airtel MD franked by the DEM and other Salima LEA school authorities
Airtel MD franked by the DEM and other Salima LEA school authorities

Airtel’s Corporate Social Responsibility Manager Norah Chavula presided over the handover ceremony of the new school blocks.

“This is an occasion of great significance in many ways. It is significant because it’s a fulfilment of Airtel’s promise upon the adoption of this school years ago. It is also important because this project speaks volumes about communal commitment to education,” said Chavula.

“We are pleased to have embarked on an initiative that today commands smiles from 2, 751 pupils that Salima LEA school has. And this school is integrated because it also has 33 students with special needs.  Airtel has hence renovated and constructed a total of three classroom blocks; these blocks comprise a total of seven classrooms,” she continued.

Upon reaffirming Airtel’s commitment to investing in the education sector, Chavula disclosed that the next phase of renovation works will be 2 other classroom blocks and the headmaster’s office block.

 Ribbon Cutting by Airtel MD and the DEM
Ribbon Cutting by Airtel MD and the DEM

An official statement from Airtel Malawi affirms that: “Airtel remains committed to uplifting the education sector. It is therefore worth it to recognise and acknowledge that the significance of this occasion extends beyond the adoption and hand over of these school blocks. It extends to powering achievements for students of this school and the entire society in the years ahead; perhaps this is the most important dimension,” reads part of the statement adding that there is no better investment that individuals, parents, society and the nation can make than an investment in education of the highest possible quality.

Salima LEA is the first school that was adopted by Airtel Malawi in 2011. Recently the leading telecommunications services provider also adopted Masejere Primary school in Nsanje.

In his remarks Salima District Education Manager Christopher Kumikunda hailed Airtel saying the development will go along way in mitigating the influx of pupils in classrooms. He said the recommended ratio is 60 pupils per class but Salima registers 131 pupils per class.

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