Atem spreads to primary, universities

When anyone talked of Association of Teaching English in Malawi (Atem) in the past it was the association that was associated with the spread and growth of English drama in Malawi. It was through Atem that Malawi was able to hear of great dramatists like Du Chisiza jnr, Owen Mbilizi, Edge kanyongolo and many others.

Today, the association is diversifying into primary schools and universities where it will apart from drama also sponsor different art competitions like quizzes, poetry, and debates.

“An all inclusive revitalisation committee has been set up comprising members from primary and secondary schools, teachers training colleges, universities among others. The committee is among other mandates sensitising schools and the general public on the organisation,” Atem president Fanuel Mapila in an interview.

“After the sensitisations, we will have Atem committees at zone, district, division, regional and national levels which will hand in hand handle the competitions,” he explained.

Asked about the sustainability of a bigger project like the one in the offing considering that it has remained a challenge to find sponsors for the Atem drama competitions involving secondary schools only,

Mapila said the organisations has established a fund whose money will go towards Atem activities.

“We are banking our hopes on students and schools or universities in terms of contributions. This money will go into the Atem fund and will be used for all Atem activities. We have already opened a bank account with MSB for the project,” he explained.