CDF shields learners from harsh weather
Learning in the open usually comes with distractions.
In the Shire Valley, most learners struggle to learn due to the discomfort caused by high temperatures.
In Chikwawa District, where the temperature soars up to 44 degrees Celsius, learning outside the classroom offers an escape from the sweltering heat.
However, the breather does not exempt young learners from distractions.
Ethel Limbikani, 14, learns at Gombwa Junior Primary School.
The school opened in 2021 with a single classroom block serving on enrolment of 385 learners.
“We were learning in the open and classes were often disrupted during the rainy season. With the hot weather in our setting, it was difficult to concentrate on learning in the scorching sun,” says Ethel.
The learners’ hardships caught the attention of Chikwawa Nkombezi legislator Abida Mia, who is also Minister of Water and Sanitation, to construct a new school block at Gombwa.
“The sad background of Gombwa Junior Primary School inspired me to help improve education standards in my constituency. Most learners were learning outdoors, which exposed them to harsh weather conditions,” she explains.
Determined to create a favourable learning environment in her area she utilised K46 million from the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to construct a new block.
The school’s headteacher Chikwasha Simba Jimu says learners no longer bear the brunt of harsh weather conditions in the Shire Valley region.
“They learn in comfort because they have safe classrooms,” he says.
Jimu says the constituents, the legislator, Chikwawa District Council, and other stakeholders closely monitored the CDF project, including the procurement of building materials.
“Through scrutiny, we were able to monitor how the project was progressing with local structures such as village and area development committees and project committees to ensure that community members had a say in the project. The new classroom has also transformed the beauty of the school and simplified teachers’ work for the benefit of learners,” he says.
The block has lessened overcrowding, allowing teachers to conduct lessons in a comfortable environment while giving each learner the space they need to engage fully in their studies.
Chikwawa District Council director of education, youth and sports Gertrude Zimba says: “The Ministry of Education recommends one classroom for 60 learners. However, in Chikwawa an average classroom sits up to 132 learners.
“This reduces interaction between teachers and learners as overcrowded classrooms make it difficult for teachers to move around and give each learner the attention they deserve, ultimately impacting learning outcomes.”
Zimba adds that quality classrooms are essential for schools to deliver quality education that meets national and global standards.
Malawi 2063, the country’s longterm development strategy, singles out quality education as pivotal to human capital development required to transform Malawi into an upper-middle income, self-reliant economy by the centenary of its self-rule.
This calls for greater investments in educational facilities needed to build the foundation for a skilled and educated population.
The new classrooms also accelerate the national push for the global Sustainable Development Goal 4 on inclusive and equitable quality education for all.
Zimba asks the learners, teachers and the surrounding community to take good care of the classroom block.
“The district council will allocate funds for ongoing maintenance, safeguarding this valuable resource for the good of both present and future generations,” she adds.
Government allocates K200 million to each of the 193 constituencies for small projects that cannot wait for bigger and unpredictable funding vehicles.
Group village head Nzangaya says the use of CDF to improve the learning environment is a smart investment.
He adds: “Our children were walking about six kilometres to get to nearby schools because they were afraid of learning in the open, but the new classroom block will ease our children’s tiresome treks to other schools.”
The community has employed two security guards to protect the school assets.