By Margret Praise Kalua

Nkhata Bay, September 2, Mana: Executive Director for Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) Education Department, Joseph Mnyimbiri has urged boards of governance in various CCAP Schools to be vigilant in soliciting funds for development projects in their schools.

Speaking in an interview after a mock wedding fundraiser at Bandawe Girls Secondary School on Friday, Mnyimbiri said many schools turn to raise school fees when they want to cater for some projects or when the currency is devalued.

“Traditionally, school institutions raise fees when they initiate construction projects. This time around, we ask them to be vigilant in sourcing funds through other means.” he said.

He highlighted that raising school fees is not a solution to development of a school, bearing in mind that life is expensive nowadays and students come from different backgrounds.

He therefore appealed to all boards of governance to emulate Bandawe Girls’ Secondary School (BAGSS) board members gesture of taking the initiative of fundraising for their school developmental projects through various activities like mock weddings.

Commenting on the development, Bandawe Girls’ Secondary School Board of Governance Vice Chairperson, Baka Banda said the school has two projects which needed money hence the initiative.

“Currently we are extending dormitories for our students and constructing a school fence which is underway.”

 “We did not want to put pressure on the parents by giving them extra costs, rather we are fundraising and we are still sourcing more funds to accomplish the task we have just started," he said.

Director of Education, Youth and Sports for Nkhata Bay, Muhabi Chivunga challenged schools to utilise available resources from the communities in school development projects rather than waiting for government and other sponsors.