By Christopher Kapachika Banda, MoE
Government has appealed to Malawians living in diaspora to consider empowering their communities back home by promoting access to education .
Minister of Education, Honourable Madalitso Kambauwa Wirima M.P. said this today at Chikwasa in Traditional Authority (TA) Kaphuka in Dedza, where she met the founders of Nanze Primary School.
Wirima said, “I am impressed and very grateful to see a brother and sister coming together and erect a school in their homeland for the benefit of many Malawian children. I therefore plead with other Malawians living in diaspora to take this good example and help in empowering their communities by promoting access to education.”
The Minister also said the two siblings will be complementing government’s vision of offering technical education which she says, among others, promotes productivity by giving students practical ways to use what they know, shows them that they can directly affect the world, and makes them active, hardworking and self-reliant.
“I am also happy to learn that Nanze Primary School will soon have a workshop where learners will get hands-on skills in woodwork, textile and designing, and Metal work. This is what my ministry is encouraging, hence we revamped technical education at primary school, starting with 28 model schools in each district. With Nanze offering the same it means Dedza District will now have two model schools and that is a plus to government,” she said.
In her remarks, one of the founders Zebbie Fagerlind, said she and her brother decided to build a school in their home village as a way of developing the community. She further commended the minister for allowing to visit the school following their invitation.
Fagerlind said, “I am very excited to be visited by the Minister of Education who has encouraged us to continue with our projects. Her visit has greatly energised us and we will soon embark on erecting a girls hostel to ensure girls do not travel long distances to access education.”
Village Headman Chikwasa, Simeon Victor said his community will continue working with government and the school founders for the development of the area.
Nanze Primary School was established by Yakkoob Badat and Zebbie Fagerlind who, upon completion, handed it over to government. The school has a staffroom block, eight classrooms, ten teachers’ houses and one guest house for foreign volunteers *.#Education Is Key.*