At least 360 learners at Kadagwantipenya Primary School in Mchinji District will now have a conducive learning environment following completion of modern classroom blocks courtesy of the World Bank-funded Regional Climate Resilience Programme (RCRP-2).
There were jubilant scenes on Friday when journalists and Mchinji District Council officials visited the school in Traditional Authority Zulu in the district.
Mchinji District Council director of planning and development Smith Mnenula said the facility has solved congestion challenges.
He said the programme has provided the council with funds to erect durable classrooms across the district.
Said Mnenula: “We are replacing dilapidated classrooms and restoring those damaged by climate change-induced floods or storms. We are not just adding adequate learning and teaching spaces, but also building strong and climate-resilient rooms to sustain education service delivery and motivate children to come to school.
“Three of the five projects have been completed and 360 learners are learning in a conducive environment at the moment.”
The school’s deputy head teacher Maxwell Kanangwe said the new facility has brought peace of mind to learners and teachers.
“We are not worried about rains, winds or sun because of the new rooms. More children are coming to school, which is crucial for their attainment of education and grow into productive citizens,” he said.
One of the Standard Seven learners, Margaret Damiano, said the well-furnished rooms motivate girls to be active during lessons.
“We sit on desks and its easy for us to stand and interact at the level of boys unlike when we were sitting on dirty floors previously,” she said.
The school’s management committee treasurer Innocent Chipira said they developed security and environment conservation plans to protect the structure.
The classroom block cost K187.7 million and was erected with facilitation from the National Local Government Finance Committee
