Malawi VP Kachali pays surprise visit to Tsabango primary school in Lilongwe
Malawi Vice President Khumbo Kachali on Wednesday paid a surprise visit to Tsabango Primary School 1 in Area 23, Lilongwe. The visit initially was supposed to be undertaken by President Mrs. Joyce Banda.
During the visit the Vice President was briefed by the School Committee and Management on the challenges the school is facing, including lack of school blocks, toilets and Teaching and learning materials.
The school, built in 1940, has only 10 classrooms against the population of 9,000 learners. 40 classes are conducted in open areas, forcing Parents and the School Committee to contribute to build a grass shelter which is used by 8 classes, especially as rains have started.
In his speech after the visit, the Vice President thanked the teachers and parents for their support and contribution towards education, but described the situation at the school which is within the boundaries of the City of Lilongwe as “unacceptable.”
“President Joyce Banda wanted to make the visit unannounced to avoid some people cleaning up and presenting a different picture. She is interested that all schools in Malawi have basic facilities and conducive learning and teaching environment,” said Kachali.
The Vice President pledged Government’s support towards improving the teaching and learning environment at the school and thanked the Catholic Church and Korean Local Government in the Ministry of Education in Goungi Province in South Korea for constructing two classroom blocks and administration block.
“I would like to tell you that from tomorrow you will see changes now that I have personally seen the problems,”said the Vice President .
“When I was chatting with the chiefs I have also been told the problem of the road, I assure you that all what you have requested have been put into account and I will report everything to the president as she is the one who sent me,” he explained.
Senior Traditional Authority Tsabango, Headmaster C.E. Kazipatire and Chairperson of School Committee Mr. Mbendera said the environment at the school was distressing and they requested urgent support to mitigate the challenges they face.
