Minister of Education Madalitso Kambauwa Wirima has called for more support from development partners in the education sector to expedite efforts in reducing long distance by learners through construction of new classroom facilities across Malawi.
Wirima made the call on Wednesday in Lilongwe during the 2023 Pre-Joint Sector Review (JSR) School March from Kanengo to Magwero Primary and Community Day Schools.
The Minister said the event was crucial as stakeholders walked for three Kilometers(Km) to appreciate the plight of by learners ahead of this year’s JSR education conference scheduled for 30th and 31st August.
“The objective of the JSR meeting is to report on the progress that has been realized from the sector plans and strategies on how to achieve the targets
“However prior to the function, the organizers felt it necessary allowing us to experience the long distances that learners both in primary and secondary schools walk to and from in their pursuit of education.”
Wirima lamented that learners across the country are walking two to three times the distance of the three kilometre march which aggravates distressing impacts not only on their performance and attendance in schools but also their safety in communities.
She therefore implored stakeholders to consider investing in education infrastructure which ultimately will improve access to quality education and make a difference in lives of many learners.
“Consider the girl child who faces the risk of harassment and assault, picture the tired boy struggling to stay attentive during lessons, their minds fatigued from the exhausting journey they undertake to and from school,” said Wirima.
Head teacher for Magwero Primary Estere Maliro said majority of learners from her school walk an average of 15Km coming from Area 25, Lumbadzi, Nchezi and Chata often reaching late and tired.
“Long distances are increasing the risk of child trafficking, fatigue and vulnerability of learners to road accidents because the school is adjacent to the M1 road,” she said.
Speaking on behalf of development partners, European Union Deputy Head of Delegation Elsa Boostra said the pre-JSR march was pure evidence that many school going children are covering long distances to access education.
Boostra added that this has negative potential to increase school dropout rate as the children also get home late which affects their resting time as well as completion of homework.
“For any country to be successful, its children should be prioritised, we need to look at creative ways of finding solutions amidst lack of funding, the EU will continue helping transformation of the education sector,” she said.
Reported By Andrew Magombo
