Malawi needs generation of thinkers to develop — Chimunthu

Former Speaker of Parliament Henry Chimunthu Banda on Saturday said there is need for secondary school learners and alumni in the country to be generation thinkers in order to promote educational standards that would develop Malawi.

Banda said this during a function where Nkhotakota Secondary School Alumni handed over part of the constructed brick wall fence around the school to Ministry of Education, Science and Technology.

The alumni also launched second phase of the construction of the fence which will leave the girl’s hostels and part of the administration block covered.

“Both learners and alumni of different schools should be patriotic by looking into the current as well as future generation that would boost the economy of the country if empowered,” he said.

While highlighting that he also served as the eighteenth head teacher of the school, Banda who chairs the institution’s alumni association national committee, lauded his fellow alumni for the unity demonstrated during implementation of different projects at the school.

He, however, asked government and other interested partners to come forward and assist the alumni, adding that they have a spirit to assist but they are limited due to various challenges.

“We have managed to cover one third of 1.1 kilometer perimeter with MK17million. All the money have been contributed by active alumni members who contribute an amount of not less than MK10 000 per year. We need about MK66m to finish the whole fence project.

“Government and interested partners should come forward and help us because all the funds we have used are from our pockets and we fill we need a hand,” said the chairperson.

The former speaker of Parliament spoke tough against vandalism of school property by the learners when different disagreements arise among school administration and students.

He emphasized that the alumni will continue taking care of the welfare of the school property and students on condition that there is discipline at the institution.

“For instance, would vandalizing school property for poor diet give you rice and meet for the day? Please learn to solve issues peacefully if you want our [alumni and learners] relationship to continue being good,” he advised.

Principal Education Methods Advisor at Central East Education Division (CEED) Office Sakai Musopole who was guest of honour at the function, advised the alumni to continue raising a flag for the school promising that the Ministry of Education will not leave them behind.

He also acclaimed the group for using cement block saying they are environmental friendly.

“Government is committed because it has several projects running in different schools of the country, therefore, we commend the good spirit you [alumni] are portraying to the community, learners as well as the whole nation,” said Musopole.

Headmaster for the school, Lawrence Mbalati, outlined water shortage, frequent blackouts, poor housing, inadequate teaching and learning materials as some of the several issues affecting teaching and learning at the institution.

“We acknowledge and thank these alumni for maintenance and construction of infrastructure at the school which we are celebrating today.

“But we asked them to help us with solar powered submissive pump and electricity around the teaching area so that we overcome the current problems,” he pleaded while echoing that he was the 21st head teacher since the school was established in 1964.

During the ceremony, the alumni showered outstanding students in recent Malawi School Certificate of Education Examination as well as teachers and support staff with different money prizes.

Nkhotakota Secondary School Association was formed three years ago while the institution was celebrating its golden jubilee.

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