By Our Reporter
KARONGA: Girls at Nyungwe boarding Community Day Secondary School (CDSS) in Karonga the northern district of Malawi, are sleeping in the classrooms with open windows following the government failure to complete the construction of hostels which started in 2009 Maravipost has learnt.
According to the investigation carried by Karonga Debate Club (KADEC) which is one of the leading local NGOs that deals with issues of good governance in the district, the main reason behind the delays of the hostels construction is still unknown but suspected that cash gate was involved.
Speaking to our reporter after inspecting the area on Tuesday, KADEC Executive Director Paul Gondwe said his organization will make sure that the truth on the matter is revealed especially on why the one year project has come up to 6 claiming that the lives of girls are at risk.
“We started our investigation after receiving the complaints from the community and this is just our continuation however we are yet to know the main reason behind the delays as the concern people such as the constructor and officials of ministry of education are hiding the information,” said Gondwe.
“Despite that, some quarters are suspecting that the project was among the cash gate victims thus why it has been hanged for almost six years now but we are yet to establish that. However our main concern now is the condition of the place that the girls are sleeping in as it poses a threat,” revealed Gondwe.
In her response, the Public Relations Officer for the Ministry of Education Rebecca Phwitiko assured the community that the project will end in March this year and that the delays was due to lack of fund.
“Of course my ministry is carrying the project in the area with the financial support amounting to 169,442,936.87 Malawi Kwacha direct from government but it has been hanging due to the economic crisis the country is facing, however, the community should not be panic as the construction will end in March this year,” Phwitiko responded.
Meanwhile, girls at the school have described the problem as the blow to their education and commended KADEC for its interference claiming it is their only hope.
“Without hiding anything we are not sleeping well in these classrooms due to some problems, for instance in each class about 70 students are forced to sleep there a development which has brought congestion. Apart from that, the windows are open so when the rain comes all our properties are affected and security wise at night is also our concern,” lamented Norius Mkandawire a form four girl at the school.
In his remark, the lawmaker of the area Richard Msowoya commended the organization for it effort claiming it is the answer to the community.
Msowoya said that he has been pressuring the ministry of education to immediately finish the project but to no avail.
The school has 185 girls sleeping in four classrooms according to the headmaster John Kayira.
