Inclusive education can end poverty—government
Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare Jean Kalilani has said inclusive and equitable education is the only way to break the vicious cycle of poverty.
Kalilani made the remarks last week at Mwera Community Learning Centre in Lilongwe where she presided over a Bridge Africa Project. Bridge Africa Programme is an initiative of the Korean National Commission of Unesco (KNCU) which aims to contribute to grassroots reinforcement of Education for All (EFA) endeavours and revitalising local communities through mobilizing local resources.
In Malawi the KNCU has established community learning centres (CLCs) at Namiyango in Blantyre, Naphini in Zomba and Mwera in Lilongwe. In all the CLC, they conduct adult literacy classes, early childhood development, after school classes and vocational training, mainly at Naphini CLC.
“It has been proven in Korea and elsewhere that it is by educating the community that we can break out of poverty. Government strongly believes that education is the key to breaking the vicious cycle of poverty and achieving development at individual, community and national levels. It is for this reason that I am here to support and encourage efforts done by the Bridge Africa Programme,” said Kalilani.
She said that through the creation of community learning centres, the Bridge Africa Programme is nurturing selfreliance among those who benefit from the initiative. Unesco executive director in Malawi McBain Mkandawire said through the creation of the learning centres, KNCU is spreading hope through education in African and Malawi in particular.
“People in the communities are now able to read and write. In this way they are becoming self-reliant. Through the centers people are able to learn life skills and this in turn will help them in their businesses,” he said.
Mkandawire said the Naphini and Namiyango CLCS offer ICT classes and also vocational classes. “There are plans to construct a building at Mwera this year to offer skills training to the community. Hyundai Cooperation’s are contributing finances towards this facility,” said Mkandawire.
