By Golden Kang’oma

Salima, February 2, Mana: World Vision Malawi, through its programme Give in Kind (GIK), has donated 294 desks worth K141 million to three primary schools in the area of Senior Chief Kalonga in Salima district.

Speaking on Thursday during the handover ceremony at Tungutungu Primary School, Programmes Manager for World Vision Salima Office, Chikumbutso Kumwenda, said the donation is aimed at motivating learners to remain in school.

He said: “Mostly we want to promote literacy and ensure that children have access to education in the country. We are working with different stakeholders to create a conducive learning environment for the learners.

“So these desks will go a long way to assist learners to come to school, especially girls, as well as increase enrollment and concentration levels while in class."

Salima District Principal Education Officer Elian Edwin Banda hailed World Vision for the support and appealed to the corporate world to help in supporting education in the country, as one way of giving back to their customers.

“This is a very good gesture in as far as promoting education is concerned. This will help our girls to fully take part in every activity happening in class as they can easily stand and seat,” said Banda.

He further said that the corporate world in the district is not doing enough in supporting education, citing banks, which he said forget that most of their customers are with the education sector.

“We have been knocking doors in their offices but no single bank has come out to assist, so it is my plea they should come out and bail out some of the schools which are in need,” Banda said.

Head teacher for Tungutungu Primary School, Elise Chilondora, said that with the desks received, they expect increased enrollment as there was no single desk at the school and learners were having difficulties, especially during rainy season.

Apart from Tungutungu, some of the schools that have received the donation are Mgoza and Tchuwa Primary Schools.