Visiting United Kingdom Minister for International Development Anneliese Dodds yesterday unveiled a new K90 billion investment in the education sector to promote quality education in Malawi.
The funds are for continued implementation of the National Mathematics Curriculum Reform Programme, school feeding programme and scholarship for 1500 female secondary school learners.
the visit | Mana
Speaking yesterday after appreciating the impact of the programme on junior learners at Mseru Primary School in Lilongwe, Dodds said she was satisfied with the progress of the initiative.
She said: “It is my great pleasure to announce that the UK will be backing this programme for another five years to make sure it is embedded and sustainable for the future.”
Dodds said the new investment was aimed at doubling the number of children with basic mathematics skills by the age of 10 and it will reach 7.5 million children.
The programme was initially covering 1 200 primary schools and targeting Standard One to Two but is now covering 6 000 primary schools.
Dodds also announced £2.5 million (about K5.8 billion) additional humanitarian aid ahead of the rainy season which is associated with flooding and displacements of households in some parts of the country.
The £2.5 million is in addition to £4.8million (about K11billion) for food security that the UK has provided so far this year.
“By supporting preparations ahead of time, we hope to reduce the impact on lives and livelihoods for around 285 000 people including the impacts on schooling,” said the minister.
Ministry of Education Principal Secretary for basic and secondary education Rachael Chimbwete Phiri said the support will help in the development of human capital.
