By Amos Chigwa

Mchinji, May 21, Mana: In an effort to promote hands-on learning and sustainability, Fair View (PVT) Secondary School in Mchinji District visited Naomi Mushroom Farm for a unique educational experience.

This education visit offered students an opportunity to learn about the life cycle of mushrooms, from spore dispersal to harvesting.  

Speaking after the visit, an Agriculture teacher for Fair View Secondary School, Nephtari Phiri, expressed the need of the visit.

“The visit was a great way to bring our science curriculum to life. Our curriculum as a country is vital as long as economic development is concerned and if it can be properly delivered to the students, unemployment and other economic challenges can be the story of the past because our curriculum incorporates entrepreneurship that equip students with skills to start their own businesses,” said Phiri.

Phiri added that it is high time schools should invest more in hands-on learning so that students may benefit even if they cannot go further with their education.

Mphatso Edward, a form three student at the school expressed gratitude after the visit.

“I have learnt a lot from this education visit, among other things I have learnt how to grow mushrooms. As a girl I have been motivated and I am ready to establish my own mushroom farm with the help from my parents and well-wishers,” said Edward.

She added that, in her community, there are a lot of girls of her age who did not go further with their education and she will share with them what she has gained so girls can be empowered and remove themselves from the bondage of poverty.

Students were given guided tour of the farm, where they learnt different types of mushrooms grown and also participated in hands-on activities such as planting mushroom spores, taking care and how to harvest them.