Malawi Community Builds School Block to Ease Overcrowding
The project, implemented by the Malawi Human Rights Resource Centre, aims to fight inequalities through improved budgeting in health, education, and social protection across three districts.
NTCHISI, Malawi — Parents and community members in Mthawira Primary School have constructed a new classroom block to address severe overcrowding, with support from Norwegian Church Aid and DanChurchAid, writes Esther Banda.
The school in Jamulesi village, serving 35 Group Village Headmen, previously had only 4 blocks with 8 classrooms, forcing over 200 students into single classrooms.
The school's total population is 1,776 students, including 932 girls and 864 boys.
Headteacher Mcloyd Mchizampheta said the community initiative was inspired by a project empowering citizens to participate in local development.
"MHRRC taught us how we can take part in local development, and as a result, parents, guardians, and business operators agreed to build one school block," Mchizampheta said.
The Malawi government responded positively, providing two additional blocks through the Malawi Education Reform Programme.
In a related effort, the local Tipewe Youth Club plans to build two changing rooms for girls to address menstrual hygiene challenges that contribute to school dropout rates.
"We observed that many girls dropped out of school feeling uncomfortable during menstrual periods," said Georgina Nyungwe, 18, the club's secretary. The club intends to fund the project by growing soybeans.
The project, implemented by the Malawi Human Rights Resource Centre, aims to fight inequalities through improved budgeting in health, education, and social protection across three districts.