Chakwera says Malawi, US partnership not ordinary

Cedric Nkungula

Malawi President Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, says the partnership that exists between the people of Malawi and that of the United States (US) is not ordinary.

Chakwera made the remarks during the handover ceremony of 66 Secondary Schools constructed under the Secondary Education Expansion for Development (SEED) partnership between the Malawi Government and the American Government at Mkanga Community Day Secondary School in Salima District.

He thanked the US Government for the relentless effort that are being made to support the country’s efforts to empower Malawi’s youth through education.

”A partnership that produces 66 brand new Secondary Schools serve communities and students across 20 districts is no ordinary partnership. A partnership that involves the American people investing 90 million dollars in building the capacity of the Malawian people is no ordinary partnership. A partnership that expands access to secondary education for tens of thousands of our youth is no ordinary partnership. A partnership that moves Malawi closer to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal Number 4, namely ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education, is no ordinary partnership,” said the Malawi leader.

On this note, President Chakwera appealed to the communities where the schools have been built to take good care of the facilities.

“I want to appeal to the communities in which we are building and opening these schools to take ownership of the schools by taking care of the facilities. The role of communities is especially critical to preserve the progress we are making with the expansion of schools,” he said.

Speaking earlier, Deputy Minister of Education Nancy Chaola Mdooko said the construction of the facilities in rural areas demonstrates remarkable strides being made by her ministry to provide high quality education to all Malawians.

She hailed the US Government for the enormous support they have rendered to the ministry to help improve the standard of education in the country.

Deputy US Ambassador Amy Diaz said it is her government’s desire is to boost access to quality education especially for girls.

She promised that the US Government will complete the remaining schools by the end of this year.

So far, 66 of the 89 school blocks have already been built under the initiative.

Students Representative Joana Muyawa said they consider themselves lucky to have such a magnificent facility in their community.

“With this school close to us, we promise to work hard to follow our dreams and contribute to Malawi Vision 2063 agenda,” she said.

Member of Parliament for the Area Mike Mwawa explained that students used to walk long distance to access education but now the problem is over.

“Let me also take this opportunity to request the first lady to consider building a girls hostel here through her Shaping Our Future Foundation,” he said.

Senior Chief Kambwiri while thanking government for earmarking his area as a beneficiary of the project also asked the President to connect power to the new infrastructure to enable students to study even at night.

Later in the afternoon, President Chakwera will hold a Development Rally at Katerera Primary School in the area of Traditional Authority Kambwiri in Salima District.