Help a Child Malawi has constructed a K60 million Khowe Model Community-Based Childhood Centre structure in Traditional Authority Mwalweni in Rumphi District to enhance early childhood development (ECD) in the area.
Speaking on Friday during the handover, Help a Child Malawi country director Ted Chauluka urged government to increase funding towards ECD services.
He said adequate investment in ECD is essential because it lays a strong foundation for pre-primary learners and ensures a smooth transition into primary school.
“I call for strengthened collaboration among government, development partners and communities to enhance service delivery in the sector,” said Chauluka.
Khowe Model mentor caregiver Joyce Msiska welcomed
the new facility, saying it will ease their work as it is furnished with appropriate learning materials.
She expressed hope that enrolment will rise from the current 53 children.
Senior Chief Mwalweni said he introduced by-laws to compel parents to send their children to ECD centres.
On his part, Ministry of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare principal child development officer Isaac Lakudzala said Malawi
has over 13 000 early learning structures, but only about 4 000 are purpose-built structures that provide a conducive learning environment for children.
“Again, out of 49 000 caregivers, nearly half are untrained,” he said.
Lakudzala said investment in infrastructure development and capacity building is critical.
Help a Child Malawi constructed the building with financial support from The Netherlands-based Attos.
