Ntcheu Council in need of K300m to renovate schools

Ntcheu District Council chief education officer Medson Mbilizi says they need K300 million to renovate and reconstruct 61 primary schools affected by Tropical Storm Ana in the district.

He said the situation has affected enrolment of leaners in the affected schools.

“We plan to sensitise chiefs, parents, political and faith leaders to ensure that all learners who are staying at home should return to school,” said Mbilizi.

He said so far, some communities are renovating schools, but progress is slow.

“However, we expect the situation to improve as Save the Children and GIZ have stepped in to conduct assessments in some of the affected schools,” said Mbilizi.

Ntcheu District Civil Society Organisations Network chairperson Leman Ngaiyaye said it was unfortunate that learners are learning under trees and temporary shelters, seven months after the disaster.

Dimba Primary School head teacher Edwin Gama said the School Improvement Grant is not sufficient to renovate his school.

“Many learners dropped out due to poor learning conditions. However, we cannot use School Improvement Grant to renovate the structures because it already has areas it addresses,” he said.

Just like Mbilizi, he urged parents whose children left school to return during the next academic year.

In January this year, Tropical Storm Ana affected at least 14 districts, displacing thousands of people, washing away crops and causing destruction of infrastructure such as schools and roads.