Education Ministry gets K1 billion tents
By Patience Lunda:
The Ministry of Education has received K1 billion from the Presidential Taskforce on Covid-19 to be used for purchasing tents to increase the number of classrooms for learners across the country.
Minister responsible, Agnes Nyalonje, said the decision had been arrived at after noting that social distancing amid the pandemic was a challenge among primary school learners.
“The move will help in decongesting classrooms,” Nyalonje said when she inspected progress of Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE) examinations in Chitipa District on Thursday.
“As we are looking at other problems surrounding the education sector; those that can be solved faster will be prioritised. For example, we have the challenge of shortage of classrooms, which we are trying to deal with,” she said.
Nyalonje said the K1 billion was part of the K1.3 billion which the Treasury released to support enforcement of Covid-19 restrictions during the festive season but was diverted to the Ministry of Education after noting that social distancing was an outstanding challenge.
She said the tents would also help learners during the rainy season as many are left stranded during this season.
The 700 tents would also offer learners shelter during the wet season.
“We still need about 1,400 tents and we are counting on development partners and other well-wishers to get the remaining shelters,” she said.
Meanwhile, education rights advocate Limbani Nsapato has lauded the ministry for the decision to ease congestion in public primary schools.
“However, I would like to appeal to the ministry to consider constructing permanent structures which can be reliable in the long run,” Nsapato said.
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