By Clarabella Chipolonga

Chiradzulu, March 9, Mana: Community members from Chanje village under Traditional Authority (TA) Kadewere in Chiradzulu district have expressed gratitude to government for constructing a new classroom block at June Junior Primary School in the district, saying it will cut short the distance learners used to cover when accessing education.

Speaking in an interview on Friday, Group Village Head Chanje said the coming in of the school block has added classrooms for standard 3 and 4 pupils, which were previously unavailable, adding the new classrooms have potential to increase enrollment of pupils at the institution.

"The old block we were using was built by Development Aid from People to People (DAPP), and could only support standard 1 and 2 learners. So as a community we decided to make bricks and ask for help from the government. After several attempts, we were granted this development, so we are really happy, " he said.

Chanje therefore assured authorities in the district that as a community, they are dedicated to taking care of the block so that it should help many generations to come, adding they will set up by-laws to prevent vandalism and theft within the premises.

On his part, Chairperson for the school's committee, David Matenda said the new development has reduced the fear parents had of their children being kidnapped or being swept away by running water when going or coming from distant schools.

"Parents used to worry about the safety and wellbeing of their children as they were walking long distances to attend standard 3 and 4 classes as most of the surrounding schools are almost 10 kilometers away. With the new classroom block, this will be history," he said.

In his remarks, Head teacher for June Junior Primary School, Damson Chisemula, said the new block has contributed to the growth of the school as it used to have classes 1 and 2 only, but now it goes up to standard 4.

He however expressed wish for the school to continue growing to a full primary school as there is still need for more classroom blocks.

He has since requested well-wishers to help them with desks because the pupils currently sit on the floor.

The class block has been constructed with funding from the World Bank under the Governance to Enable Service Delivery Project (GESD) to the tune of K23 million.