Press Trust hands over junior primary school in Neno

In a quest to improve literacy levels in Neno, Press Trust has handed over to government a two-block junior primary school worth K30 million ($51,054.7) at Chifenthe village in the area of Traditional (T/A) Dambe in the district.

The school, which has been named Chikonde II, comprises four class rooms and will carter for 240 standard one to four learners.

Speaking during the handover ceremony on Tuesday, Trustee Tony Kandiero from Press Trust said the project followed revelations of high illiteracy rates and limited access to quality education in the district.

“Recognising the adverse effects of this situation and the development implications of the same, we approved the establishment of this school to try and help improve standards of education in the district,” said Kandiero.

District Education Manager for Neno, Reuben Menyere said 46 percent of people in the district are illiterate. He attributed this to long distances between primary schools.

According to Menyere, the school will help to decongest Chikonde I primary school where most learners enrolled before the opening of Chikonde II.

“This is a district that experiences an increased number of school drop outs due to lack of schools. Children walk up to eight kilometres to reach a nearest primary school and girls are the most affected as the situation puts them at prey,” explained Menyere.

Mwanza has a total of 78 primary schools of which 43 are for the junior category.

Press Trust has for 18 years spent over K1 billion ($1,701,820) on various projects across the country in the education sector.