By Tikondane Vega

Lilongwe, March 20, Mana: Local artisans in the country have commended government for providing them a platform where they can showcase their skills saying the opportunity has created room for growth.

In separate interviews with Malawi News Agency (MANA) in Phalombe, Thyolo and Mangochi, where they are constructing classroom blocks under the Malawi Education Reform Programme (MERP), the artisans said the work has put them in a spot where many people have developed trust in them.

Alex Wittika, who has just completed constructing school blocks at Dzenje Primary School in Phalombe District, said the opportunity is a breakthrough to not only him but also the community.

“Previously, there has been an underestimation of the potential of the artisans like us, which can play a significant part in our country. What government has done to give us a chance to construct school blocks is a game changer in our career.

“This has exposed us to other stakeholders who also need our services. Artisans face several challenges like job inconsistencies but finally government has opened opportunities for us,” said Wittika.

Ken Matias, a local artisan based in Thyolo district and is currently constructing classes at Mikalati Primary School, concurred with Wittika saying the platform has enabled people to see great work done by local artisans.

He said the contract has enabled him to employ other people who are helping him construct classrooms while others are bringing sand as well as water as part of their income generating activity.

“We face a lot of challenges, one of them being that people do not trust that we can make high standard infrastructure but government has trusted us. We were lacking a platform to prove ourselves that we can also deliver.

“Previously, contracts from government were landing in the hands of a few people while local artisans were not allowed to grow. The step taken by government is commendable,” he said.

Another local artisan, Stanley Chiwalo, who is constructing classroom blocks at Chiusi Primary School in Mangochi, said if government can continue empowering local artisans, the country has the potential to create jobs within localities thereby contributing to social and economic development of the country.

Government through Ministry of Education is implementing MERP with support from the World Bank and the Global Partnership on Education.