Teachers in Mchinji have commended Tikwanilitse ndi Kuteteza ma Ufulu a Ana (Tikuma) project for improving the quality of education in the district.

The project promotes various educational strategies, including establishing learners’ councils, children’s Parliament and catch-up classes to ensure improved performance.

Tsekwe Primary School head teacher Jossam Langiton said learners are now able to read and write by the time they reach Standard Four.

The classroom block that community members constructed. I Chrispine Msiska

“It is much easier to teach a child who can read and write,” he said.

Langiton emphasised the school’s efforts to engage parents and local leaders in sustaining the initiatives.

Standard Seven learner Yamikani Charles from Sundwe Primary School shared his experience with the learners’ council.

He said: “We advocated for the construction of additional classrooms and emphasised the importance of respecting children’s rights. Our school lacked classrooms for Standards Seven and Eight, which forced those completing Standard Six to seek transfers.

“However, our voices were heard and authorities constructed a classroom block for the two remaining classes.”

Charles also urged the corporate sector to support the school with roofing materials.

Girls Activist Youth Organisation (Gayo) programmes manager Gilbert M’bwana said the project has provided a vital platform for students to express their views through children’s Parliament and learners’ councils.

He said: “We identified several challenges, including climate-related issues that led to the destruction of some schools due to cyclones and low literacy levels among learners.

“Many were unable to read and write or participate in educational decision-making.”

M’bwana said the partnership with Save the Children helped to develop the project to address literacy challenges to ensure that all learners have the right to quality education in a conducive environment.

The five-year project is being implemented by a consortium of organisations with funding from Norad through Save the Children