By Chisomo Kambandanga

NKhata Bay, April 22, Mana: Leaners at Usisya Community Day Secondary School (CDSS) have attributed their improved performance in class to the construction of a K12 million Constituency Development Funded (CDF) classroom block.

Speaking in an interview on Friday, Chimwemwe Mkochi, a Form 4 student at the school said before the construction of the two classroom block, there was high absenteeism and at times lessons were disrupted during rainy season since some were learning under the tree.

"Before the construction of this classroom block, focus on lessons to us was difficult as some were learning under the trees and it was also hard to continue with lessons during rainy seasons.

“At times we were jam packed in the small entertainment hall which prompted some of us to miss classes and it was putting our lives at risk of contracting communicable diseases,” Mkochi said.

Mkochi therefore asked for continued support to the school from government as there are few desks and a fence would be ideal for the safety of the leaners.

Head Teacher for Usisya CDSS, Richard Gondwe said that the school block has reduced congestion of learners in classrooms.

"By design, our school is double stream meaning we get 100 learners per year and these are supposed to be accommodated in two classes of 50 learners per class.

“However, this was not possible because of the classroom challenge and we were having 100 learners in a class. This block has assisted to ease the challenge in form four and three," Gondwe said.

In her remarks, Member of Parliament for Nkhata Bay North Constituency, Chrissie Kanyasko assured the learners that for a start, she will buy 40 more desks for the school with the next CDF, and eventually facilitate construction of a fence around the school.