New school to ease distance problems in Dedza

Pupils from group village head Chikwasa in Traditional Authority Kaphuka in Dedza have been relieved from walking long distance to school thanks to a non-governmental organisation Nanze which handed over an elementary school to government yesterday.  Group village head Chikwasa said, before construction of the school, pupils used to walk almost three kilometers to Katawa Primary School, the closest in the area. The chief also said it was risky for young children to walk to school during the rainy season when bushes are thick. Dedza District Education Manager (DEM) George Ngaiyaye received the school on behalf of the Ministry of Education Science and Technology and he said government will ensure sustainability of the school.  “This is a welcome development. As government we will ensure that all the necessary resources are provided. Right now, we are deploying two more teachers to show our commitment and appreciation,” said Ngaiyaye.  He urged chiefs and parents to utilise the school to educate their children and bring development to their community.  Primary school education advisor (PEA) for Mthandiza zone, where the school is located, Phyllis Chadza said many children within the zone were reluctant to go to school because of distance.  Nanze project Operations Director Yunus Badat said the organisation gets funding from friends and family in the United States of America (USA) and Sweden.  Currently, the school offers standard 1 to 4 and has 317 pupils but construction of additional classroom blocks is underway, according to Badat.