EU commits 36m euros to secondary education

The European Union (EU) has announced a 36 million euros commitment to support government efforts to provide increased access to quality secondary education in Malawi.

This will be achieved through a five-year project named Improving Secondary Education in Malawi (Isem), which was launched at Chimteka Community Day Secondary School (CDSS) in Mchinji on Wednesday (today).

And speaking at the launch, the EU Ambassador to Malawi, Marchel Gerrmann, disclosed that at least 21 secondary schools will benefit through rehabilitation of infrastructure, construction of additional classrooms, administration blocks, laboratories, libraries, teachers’ houses, and toilets.

Said Gerrmann: “The teachers of the targeted schools will benefit from teacher-training, schools will be supplied with teaching and learning materials, and the disadvantaged girls and vulnerable students….will be supported with supported with bursaries and bicycles to ease their access and retention.”

However, the EU ambassador emphasised that investment alone cannot make full impact if it is not complemented with an enabling policy environment that supports equitable access and quality education.

“In this regard, I would like to congratulate the Ministry of Education for developing the National Education Policy that was launched in November 2016. However, there is need for necessary resources to ensure successful implementation of the policy reforms,” stressed Gerrmann.

In his remarks, Minister of Education Emmanuel Fabiano commended the EU for the continued support towards various social and economic initiatives government is undertaking to improve the quality of livelihoods for the citizens.

Fabiano pleaded with learners, particularly girl-children, to take advantage of the support to advocance and set higher goals in education.