Mutharika says a college every district: ‘Education will transform Malawi economy’

President Peter Mutharika has said the goal of developing Malawi’s economy can only be met with the right education system, saying there cannot be growth without skilled labour.

Mutharika said this in Mponela, Dowa on Friday when he presided over regional launch of Community Colleges.

“The whole idea of community technical colleges was born in the spirit of waging war against poverty and to raise living standards of our communities,” said Mutharika.

Government has already opened 11 community colleges, and the President said more will soon open in every district will have its community technical college.

Mutharika said a complete education system must teach the whole human being, that is the mind, the heart and the hand hence the establishment of the Community Technical Colleges as part of a comprehensive education to equip the youth with appropriate skills so that the country becomes a producing and exporting nation.

“These colleges are part of a comprehensive education that teaches us to do things more than know things. It is the education of the people that drives us to move forward with the rest of our youths and our communities. This is a fundamental paradigm shift and a cornerstone of economic transformation,” said Mutharika.

The President further said the program has received overwhelming response and support from international community as a result the country was nominated as a pilot country among only four countries in the world to champion skills development.

He said Malawi as a nation should start living the pillars of progress mentioning patriotism, integrity and hard work emphasizing that hard work is a secret behind every human achievement and national prosperity.

Minister of Labour and Manpower Development Henry Mussa MP said the Community colleges in the country are now 11 in total and offering six courses from Carpentry and Joinery, Brick lying, Welding, Plumbing to Textile Design Tailoring.

He further said there plans of expansion to other courses like Cosmetology that specializes on human beauty to reach public demand of helping more women to become self dependency.

Over 300 Malawian youths have since enrolled for the community colleges in Dedza, Karonga, Nkhotakota, Dowa and Mzimba.—Additional reporting by Mana

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