Msaka back in class, says Malawi education budget raises hopes of a better tomorrow

The Minister of Education, Science and Technology, Bright Msaka, has said getting the lion’s share of K166 billion in the 2018/2019 national budget has fired up the sector, raising hopes of cultivating a better tomorrow for Malawi.

What is this` Minister of Education Msaka teaching at Mkwichi
Msaka speaks to leaners at Mkwichi Primary school in Lilongwe-(c) Abel Ikiloni, Mana
Some of the school items handed over by Minister of Education.. bright Msaka at Chinsapo Primary School and other schools-(c) Abel Ikiloni
Mkwichi Primary school Head Teacher, leads Education Minister, in his inspection of being a model school-(c) Abel Ikiloni, Mana
Head Teacher for Ngwenya primary school receives their desks from Education Minister Bright Msaka at Chinsapo primary school in Lilongwe-(
Msaka seats at the back land listens from Malawi pupils` self introductions in chinese languge
Head Teachers from various schools pose with Minister of Education.. Hon. Bright Msaka during the handover of school equipments at Chinsap

He said the development is a concrete sign that government is determined to address a myriad of challenges besetting the education sector.

Msaka was speaking at Chinsapo Primary School in Lilongwe after delivering desks, textbooks and mobile laboratory equipment to a number of primary schools and selected secondary schools in and around the city.

The minister, who earlier on toured China-Malawi Friendship School in Area 47, formerly known as Mkwichi Primary School, said although this is the responsibility of the local authorities under decentralisation, the government has stepped in to help ease the burden.

Msaka was accompanied by the Minister of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining, Aggrey Masi, who is also Member of Parliament for Lilongwe City South West.

About K2.5 billion has been set aside for the production of desks for both primary and secondary schools for all the 34 education districts in Malawi. A total of 32, 000 double seater desks will be distributed to all the primary schools, while 27, 000 single seater desks will go to the secondary sector.  

About 18, 000 primary school desks have already been shipped out to various delivery hubs across the country, while the secondary sector has already taken receipt of 16, 000 desks.

This is in response to a growing challenge of desks, class space and teaching and learning materials, brought about by a surge in enrolment of learners over the years due to the introduction of free primary school education in 1994 and the compulsory Primary Education in 2013.

Also coming as part of the package are mobile chalk boards, science kits and tables, text books and teaching and learning materials for special needs education are also some of the items currently under delivery across the regions.

“The provision of the mobile laboratories is just a stock up measure but we will ensure that secondary schools are provided with proper facilities,” Msaka said, adding that in future no school will be allowed to operate without the necessary requirements.

According to the Minister, procurement of desks and chairs for learners is a continuous process as enrollment continues to swell. The Ministry also says there is need to continuously replace worn out pieces of furniture in the schools.

Under the National Reading Programme, the Ministry is supplying over 8 million English and Chichewa take-home text books for Standards 1 to 4, designed to enhance the reading skills of young learners in order to make learning easy for them.

Msaka also said through the Malawi Education Sector Improvement Plan (Mesip), the government is addressing infrastructure challenges by constructing learning shelters and ablution blocks to cater for the needs of the girl child.

On the issue of the high qualified teacher pupil ratio—currently at one teacher to 70 learners in most primary schools across the country—the minister said this year the budget has made a provision for the recruitment of 10, 500 teachers to fill up the gaps. About 9, 630 were engaged in the 2017/2018 financial year.

 

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Aluweka
Aluweka
5 years ago

That’s the way to go. Change the curriculum to reflect the modern needs of our mother 🇲🇼. God Bless Malawi

Dzambo
Dzambo
5 years ago

Uyutu ntchito amaitha!

Nkubwa
Nkubwa
5 years ago

Way to go! We’ll done APM government.

Mbuyafive
Mbuyafive
5 years ago

I have been following Msaka on his tendency to interact with pupils in a classroom. I am somehow impressed. He takes a step to have a really feeling. My prayer is that this is not just politics. Strategic education is long term solution to the mess in this country.

Munthalika
Munthalika
5 years ago

I’m seeking info: how much does a desk, similar to the ones in the picture, donated by Ministry of Education , cost? How much would a wholesale order of 100 such desks cost? Which company makes them? I am an ordinary diasporan Malawian trying to do a little charity work. Please reply on this same thread

Ndatopa Ine
Ndatopa Ine
5 years ago

Seriously? I mean was it necessary for the whole minister and his entourage to pose for a photo shoot to showcase the resources it is donating to Mkwichi school? Is it not the responsibility of the ministry to provide resources to schools and that they could do so without making noise? Ok, I could understand such pomp if the minister himself used his personal funds to source the material but we all know this is taxpayers money and therefore don’t make it look like you are doing us a favor because you are not. We all know elections are around… Read more »

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