Deputy minister hails school project

Deputy Minister of Education Madalitso Wirima Kambauwa has commended the Malawi Education Sector Improvement Project (Mesip) for increasing school enrolment in Kasungu District.

The World Bank-funded project has seen primary schools in 12 districts receiving grants they use to construct additional learning and sanitary structures as well as buy teaching and learning materials.

Speaking on Tuesday during an inspection tour of Lisasadzi and Chamunya primary schools in Kasungu, Kambauwa commended the project for helping retain learners by providing good learning structures.

She said: “The project has improved enrolment and attendance.

“Previously, some learners used to shun classes because of poor learning structures. In addition, girls dropped out due to lack of sanitary facilities, among other reasons.”

Lisasadzi Primary School head teacher Abraham Lungu said with Mesip support, the school has improved on teaching.

He said: “Learners who dropped out of school due to poor learning structures are now back.

“We never had an enrolment exceeding 1000, but now we boast of over 1244 learners of whom 629 are girls.”

Lungu also commended mother groups for ensuring that girls have sanitary materials such as pads, water and soap.

The project also includes components on Performance-Based School Improvement Grants for Improving Promotion and Retention, Improving Equity for the Most Disadvantaged, Improving Learning Outcomes, Accountability and Cost- Effectiveness at School Level.