In a bid to respond the loss of school properties, teaching and learning materials due to floods in the southern districts of Chikwawa and Nsanje, UNESCO has donated US$50,000 (MK22 million) for the same materials.

This comes amid scores of donations from various individuals, companies, local and international organisations made to the floods victims.

 

Speaking after handling over the items to the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology headquarters in the capital Lilongwe, Hyacinth Kulemeka, Unesco deputy executive secretary said it was important to make such a donation regarding to the worst condition the education sector in these districts have been affected by the floods.

“We are targeting eight schools in Chikwawa and the same in Nsanje districts. The selection process was a tough one becauses the demand was huge such that 13 districts with 431 schools and 504 550 learners were affected.

“With the little donated, we hope might ease the situation while we will be sourcing other resources for the same course to other districts”, said Kulemeka.

In his remarks, Deputy Minister of Education, Science and Technology, Vincent Ghambi  expressed gratitude for the donation saying it was timely as students were to take their national examinations starting next month.

“According to the data that the Ministry has gathered, the damage is too extrem which will take us alot of resources and long time to recover. Therefore, with Unesco timely support, expectations are high that students’ examination next month will run smoothly. However, the ministry is still appealing for the same support from well-wishers”, urges Ghambi.

Among the items donated including 59,000 exercise books, 4,236 text books for Standard one to eight pupils, 10,000 pencils, 20,000 ball pens, 5,000 rulers, 3,500 erasers, 500 boxes of white chalk, 90 chakboards, 300 schem of workbooks and 500 chalkboard rulers.