By Rahim Abdul
The Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education is impressed with the initiatives being implemented by communities in schools using Non-School Improvement Grants (Non-SIG funds).
Secretary for Basic and Secondary Education, Dr. Rachel Chimbwete Phiri, highlighted the positive impact of these initiatives during a visit to Nyama Primary School in Lilongwe East.
The community surrounding Nyama Primary School has taken proactive steps to improve learning outcomes, including procuring land to extend the school, constructing a teacher’s house, mobilizing school dropouts to return to school, and engaging in farming for the school feeding program.
Dr. Phiri commended the community’s commitment, acknowledging that the government sometimes faces financial constraints.
The school committee members were trained by JICA through the School for All Project on how to initiate and manage projects using local revenue.
Education Consultant Christopher Naunje emphasized that the training aims to instill a spirit of self-reliance in schools, enabling them to develop independently without relying solely on government and donor funding.
This community-led approach is a promising model for improving education outcomes in Malawi. By empowering schools to take ownership of their development, the government and partners can help create sustainable and effective solutions that benefit students and communities alike.
