Lack of school blocks affects education in Mangochi

The National Initiative for Civic Education (Nice) Trust says lack of school blocks and teachers’ houses in many schools in Mangochi is affecting the delivery of quality education.

Nice civic education officer for Mangochi Turner Banda was speaking at Mtakataka Turn-Off in Traditional Authority (T/A) Nankumba in the district during a project field monitoring visit.

“We have a long way to go in achieving quality education in the district. For example, over 80 percent of the children at Mtakataka Turn-Off Primary School are learning under trees. Again, some teachers travel long distances to school because of lack of staff houses. This is unacceptable,” said Banda.

He said the situation is forcing some children, especially girls, to drop out of school and enter into early marriages.

Group village head (GVH) Namakoma called on government and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to address the problems.

“We cannot talk about quality education when schools do not have classrooms and teachers’ houses. I appeal to government, NGOs and all people of goodwill to help us,” he said.n