By Pickson Chipeso:
Ambassador of Japan to Malawi, Yoichi Oya, has urged the government of Malawi and development partners to increase investment in primary education, saying it is the key to unlocking the country’s potential and building a strong foundation for sustainable development.
Oya made the remarks on Wednesday during a media interaction at the Japanese residence in Area 10, Lilongwe, as his three-year diplomatic mission comes to an end.
“I want to see a mindset change in Malawi, a shift from the old way of thinking to a more progressive approach. Primary education is crucial in establishing the foundation of this change. We need to equip our young generation with the fundamentals of life, so they can become the driving force behind this country’s growth,” Oya said.
He said Malawi is endowed with natural resources and human capital but noted that old mindsets continue to hinder the country’s progress.
Oya stressed that with proper education and relevant skills, young people can fully harness opportunities in sectors such as mining and agriculture, and contribute meaningfully to the nation’s economic growth.
He appealed to government and donors to support initiatives aimed at improving the quality of primary education, calling it a long-term investment in national development.
“We need to create a conducive environment for our children to learn and grow. If we do this, we will reap the benefits in the future. Our human resources are our greatest asset, and we must nurture them,” he said.
During his tenure, Ambassador Oya strengthened bilateral cooperation between Japan and Malawi, particularly in education, agriculture, health, energy and trade.
