NGO builds school block in Karonga

Foundation for Community Support Services (Focus) has constructed a classroom block at Mpata Community Day Secondary School (CDSS) in Paramount Chief Kyungu in Karonga District.

Speaking on Saturday during the handover of the facility to the school, Focus board chairperson Alfred Mwenifumbo said they embarked on the project to motivate girls to remain in school.

He urged traditional leaders to help eliminate harmful cultural practices to give girls an opportunity to finish their education.

Said Mwenifumbo: “It will not make sense to construct this facility only to note that parents are not responsible enough to encourage girls and boys to utilise it.

“Therefore, the task now lies in the hands of traditional leaders to urge parents not to look at girls as only good for marriage. Let girls go to school instead of marriage.”

 Form Three learner Vickness Msukwa asked authorities to consider constructing a science laboratory and administration block at the school.

The school’s head teacher Maria Mbobe said the new facility will help to reduce congestion in classes.

She said: “This is good for us because the available structures are a death trap. However, the challenges which include long distances students walk to school contribute to school dropout, especially girls.

Speaking on behalf of Karonga District Council, Shepherd Jere said through other development partners, they will mobilise resources to come up with other structures such as the science laboratory and administration block at the school.

The K22 million classroom block has been constructed with funds from Chancen durch Bildung e.V of Germany.