By Vincent Khonje
The Malawi National Examination Board (MANEB) on Wednesday took some time away from developing, administering and processing of exams to focus on afforestation.
The exams body donated 3,000 tree seedlings to Kasungu District Education offices of which 500 seedlings were planted at Kauta primary school in Lisasadzi education zone.
MANEB Executive Director Gerald Chiunda said it was imperative that the board take part in planting trees as its services boarders on products of trees.
“You will appreciate that for MANEB to offer its services we use paper and pencil which come from trees. It is only logical for us to conserve the environment by planting trees and we hope the schools and communities will take care of the trees,” said Chiunda.
Kasungu DEM Rabson Kawalala thanked MANEB for the initiative which he said has supported efforts of ensuring all schools have trees.
“Most of our schools are not protected that is why incidences of school blocks roofs being blown off are many. With these trees the schools are safe as they act as wind breaks,” said Kawalala.
The DEM also said will make sure more schools plant trees by introducing ‘Greener School’ competition in which the best school in planting trees will be rewarded.
Kasungu district has a target of planting 4.9 million trees and District Forestry Officer Henry Kagulo hailed MANEB for the support saying it has complemented the efforts of the district.
“With support from organizations like these it will be very much easier for us to reach our district target this year. We are therefore asking for more organizations to come forward and also support this effort,” said Kagulo.
MANEB has so far donated 3000 seedlings in Zomba, 3000 seedling in Kasungu and another 3000 seedlings in Mzuzu adding up to a total of 9000 tree seedlings.
Currently for Kasungu the survival rate of trees stands at 72 percent.