19 schools star at Atem Ned
After missing out for close to four years, Association of Teaching of English (Atem) drama returned to the fold over the weekend with Northern Education Division (Ned) holding its divisional finals at Katoto Secondary School in Mzuzu featuring 19 schools.
And as we went to press Sunday, the Northern Education Division officials were yet to announce the results but its chairperson, William Phiri, said Atem Ned has been active holding activities including an essay competition.
The regional finals, according to Wanangwa Gondwe and writer Ndongolera Mwangupili, who works for Northern Education Division and patronised the event, said it started on Saturday through to Sunday.
Some of the participating schools included Kaseghe from Chitipa.
Atem President Dave Mpaso said, after the divisional finals, they will go straight to the national finals to be held next term.
“No-one is sponsoring us, only that British Council, through the Hornby Trust, gave us a K2 million grant for English seminars which were done successfully. Part of the grant is to be used at the national level,” Mpaso said.
He admitted that the break before Covid affected them but said they were back though they were still in need of funds.
“Three from each region will be selected and these will compete in the national final,” Mpaso said.
Meanwhile, Mlodza Secondary School in Lilongwe will host the division finals in the Central Region on February 18 2023, with the Southern Region also expected to hold its divisional finals on February 5 2023.
Atem, which is being held under the themes ‘Evils of Corruption’ and ‘The Role of Youth in Combating Gender-based Violence’, has over the years helped in unearthing drama talent.
