Lilongwe City Council (LCC) has bemoaned congestion in the city’s schools which needs to be addressed.
LCC Chief Executive Officer Moza Zeleza noted this on Friday during the council’s stakeholder’s engagement and networking cocktail at Crossroads Hotel in Lilongwe.
He said the council is managing 57 public primary schools with a student’s enrolment of 150,000.
Zeleza said the current teacher-pupil ratio is 1:85 while the ideal one is 1:60 and the pupil to desk ratio is 18:1 while the ideal is 2:1.
“We need to build school blocks for these pupils but it takes money and time. In the interim we wish to put up learning shelters that would enable the pupils learn under a shade,” he said.
He explained that learning shelters constructed under community initiatives cost approximately K4 million and cater for 60 pupils.
Zeleza said desks are also imperative particularly during national examinations for 8 pupils and a good quality desk costs around K20,000.
“Please support us to help these pupils learn in a conducive environment. They are the future of this country,” he appealed.
Lilongwe Mayor Desmond Bikoko said the council needs more investment avenues in the education sector in order to overcome some of the challenges it is facing.
He said the current situation requires financial and material support to eradicate some of the issues highlighted.
“It is my wish to make sure that the city transforms itself for the better. We can only do that if more stakeholders are engaged and involved at all levels. Hold me accountable on this and I’m keen to ensure the city is face-lifted during my term,” Bikoko suggested.
Ministry of Education officials were not available to comment on the issues highlighted during the meet.
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