The school in Mchinji’s remote and hard-to-reach area, Lipunga Primary School, has become a shining example of what can be achieved when a community comes together to prioritise education by not only retaining dedicated teachers but also achieving remarkable success in national examinations.
Head teacher Nephtari Safali attributes the school’s success to the strong bond between the community and the teachers.
“The relationship between the community and the teachers has been a motivation for teachers to stay at the school despite being in a hard-to-reach area. The support goes beyond mere words, with the provision of housing for teachers, rewards for exceptional student performance, and the allocation of land for teachers to cultivate crops,” said Safali.
Safali shared the astounding achievements of Lipunga Primary School in the Primary School Leaving Certificate Examinations (PSLCE).
“The school produced a 100 percent success rate in 2022, and we repeated this feat in 2023. Not only did all the students pass, but 64 out of the 110 learners were selected to do secondary education,” he said.
Azele Zimba, the Parents, Teachers Association (PTA) chairperson, emphasised the community’s commitment to providing a conducive environment for both teachers and students.
“We prioritise education and make sure that the teachers are happy at the school so that the children get quality education,” Zimba explained.
The news of Lipunga’s success has not only resonated within its district but has also attracted attention from afar.
A delegation from Karonga district, visited the school and William Ngwira, Chairperson of Karonga District Education Network (DEN) acknowledged the challenges faced in retaining teachers in hard-to-reach areas in Karonga and expressed a desire to learn from Lipunga’s success.
“We wanted to know what is done in Lipunga to try and replicate that,” Ngwira stated.
Mchinji Principal Education Officer, Samson Kawiya commended Lipunga Primary School for being a source of inspiration within the district.
“The office constantly motivates, advises and encourages teachers posted in hard to reach areas like those in Kazyozyo, Kavunguti, Katonda and Gumba Zones, just to mention a few, to ensure good relationship with the communities they are serving,” said Kawiya.
The trip for delegates from Karonga which comprised head teachers, school management committees (SMC), mother groups, DEN, PTA and other educationists was made possible by Governance for Solutions (GFS).
