Water Shortage Drives Dropouts at Malawi Primary School
The water scarcity affects not only the students but also the surrounding community.
DOWA, Malawi— At Nagwira Primary School in Malawi's Dowa district, the lack of water supply is causing an alarming rate of student dropouts, highlighting a critical infrastructure gap in the country's education system, writes Meclina Chirwa.
Established in 2013, the school, situated in Traditional Authority Chakhaza, has never had access to water on its premises.
Students are forced to travel 5 kilometers (about 3 miles) to fetch water from nearby sources, a situation that's taking a toll on attendance and learning outcomes.
Chiyanjanitso Pitilosi, the school's head teacher, expressed concern over the impact on education standards.
"The school registers 5 to 10 dropouts every term due to the situation," Pitilosi said.
"We don't have a solution to this, unless well-wishers come to our rescue."
The water scarcity affects not only the students but also the surrounding community.
Pitilosi added, "It's not only learners struggling, even the community. It is my belief that one day God will answer our prayers."
A standard five student, speaking under the pseudonym Maureen Chiyambi, described the challenges faced by students, particularly girls.
"We just hear from colleagues that their schools have water and sanitation facilities but not ours. It's very painful to be learning in such an environment," she said.
Mphatso Nkuonera, spokesperson for the Ministry of Education, acknowledged the need for water in all schools to improve sanitation and hygiene.
He suggested a collaborative approach with other ministries to address such problems.
James Mwenda, public relations officer for the Ministry of Water and Sanitation, cited salinity as the main obstacle to drilling boreholes in the area.
"Efforts have been made to drill boreholes, but it has been failing to pass the water quality," Mwenda explained.
He added that discussions are ongoing with the district council to find solutions.
Willies Mwandira, executive director of the Water and Environmental Sanitation Network, criticized authorities for neglecting the school.
"It's very unfortunate that a school which was constructed in 2013 has no water supply," Mwandira said.
He emphasized the importance of proper hydration for students' cognitive function and overall well-being.
As the situation persists, Nagwira Primary School serves as a stark reminder of the critical role that basic infrastructure plays in education and the urgent need for solutions to ensure all students have access to safe water and sanitation facilities.