By Abubakar Kanjoka

Kasungu, March 16, Mana: Minister of Education, Madalitso Kambauwa Wirima, has warned against acts of vandalism in secondary schools saying government will not hesitate to expel students involved in hooliganism and close the schools.

Wirima said this at Mphomwa Community Day Secondary School (CDSS) in Kasungu on Thursday during a tour to appreciate construction of school blocks and laboratories under the Equity with Quality and Learning at Secondary (EQUALS) project in various schools in the district.

Kambauwa said acts of vandalism affect the ministry’s ability to deliver quality education as the malpractice results to destruction of the learning environment and materials, leading to premature closure of schools.

She said: "It is very devastating to see children destroying the already inadequate school property for reasons which can be easily sorted out, thereby risking their future by being chased away from school. That’s why we condemn acts of vandalism in strongest terms.

"The ministry will not tolerate any kind of misconduct from the learners, and we will work tirelessly with the teachers and all the concerned parties to get rid of all the undisciplined learners. It is also my appeal to parents and guardians to instil discipline in their children right away from home to behave morally."

The Minister expressed satisfaction with progress of the projects, saying they are being completed in accordance with the expectations and will help create a conducive environment for both teachers and learners thereby ensuring promotion of quality education.

Agnes Phiri, a Form Two student at Mphomwa CDSS expressed joy over the laboratory block being constructed at the school, saying it will help her and other students to perform well in science subjects once it is completed.

"We, currently, have challenges to experiment sessions because we do not have a laboratory.  Sometimes we fail to conduct other experiments due to absence of materials and a laboratory room.

“So, construction of the laboratory block is a huge encouragement to the entire student community,” she said.

According to Innocent Kaipa, a foreman for Sanga Construction Company which is undertaking construction work at the school, the project is expected to be completed by the end of this month.

With financial support from the World Bank, government of Malawi is implementing EQUALS project with an aim to improve Science and Mathematics instruction in CDSSs and increase access to secondary education in selected remote areas.