Huge shortage of desks in Mzuzu primary schools

Mzuzu City acting chief education officer Penjani Gausi has bemoaned the shortage of desks in public primary schools in the city.

Out of the city’s 41 primary schools, Chiputula, has an enrolment of 3 494 against 150 desks. Zolozolo has 2 240 learners against 359 desks, Ching’ambo has 3 340 against 260 desks, Area 1B has 1 512 learners against 200 desks and Nkhokwe has 2 457 learners against 100 desks.

Speaking yesterday when Luke International donated 70 desks to Chiputula Primary School, Gausi said the situation was fuelling absenteeism among learners, especially during the rainy and cold seasons.

“It is also hard for teachers to supervise pupils’ work while seated on the floor,” she said. 

Gausi said girls are the most affected as they struggle to stand to answer questions.

“However, we are now in the process of maintaining some broken desks to ensure more pupils sit at desks in class,” she said.

The school’s head teacher Ollens Msonda said the school is located in a waterlogged area which forces learners to bring wrappers (zitenje) to sit on during the rainy season.

“Learners sit on wet floors, as such, we register high cases of pneumonia and waterborne diseases,” he said.

About 3 494 learners share 24 toilets. As a result, most learners miss classes because they queue outside the toilets waiting for their turn,” he said.

Luke International country representative Rebecca Kaunda said her organisation donated the desks to contribute towards quality education in the country.

“Desks are crucial for learning because they can motivate pupils to attend classes,” she said.

The organisation is also expected to donate 55 desks to Chamalaza Primary School in the city this week.