If you are bent at frustrating a nation’s progress, it makes perfect sense to disfigure its education system, for education is not any preparation for life; rather, it is life itself.
But Mpita Primary School at Kapiri in Mchinji has endured one of the worst neglects which, of course, are also evident elsewhere.
Its pupils are bright and they continue fighting for more. They can recite flair-filled poems without any paper in their hands, a testament of their passion to learn and unwavering will to conquer.
This is despite that for 44 good years, the school- -wedged in the midst of tobacco estates in Traditional Authority (T/A) Dambe–has had only three classrooms, and has been waiting for promises to be fulfilled for decades.
On a gloomy Monday morning which is heralding yet another heavy downpour, representatives of an anti-poverty organisation visits the school upon learning that its struggles run counter to their vision that a learned generation is the hallmark of poverty eradication.
They make a sober promise that very soon, the school will have additional blocks and a staffroom, compelling Patrick Chichitike and those that he leads to smile from ear to ear, hoping that the environment will soon be ideal for the teaching and learning process.
He even passes the message to the pupils and asks them to continue working hard as very soon, they will not have to be trekking to Khwere Primary School, which is about 15 kilometres away, when they reach standard eight.
But the joy diminishes in the embers of time as the promise never comes to pass and the rains and heavy winds continue disrupting teachers’ preparations for lessons and the lessons themselves.
“We always teach our pupils that education is the backbone of development and personal success, but sometimes they have been raising mocking but relevant questions on whether we are being realistic,” says Chichitike.
He adds that until recently, enrolment rates continued being pathetic even though it was clear that surrounding villages had a lot of children who they could send to Mpita Primary School.
“Perhaps the parents and even the children found no real reason why school should be a priority because this primary school has remained in a pathetic condition for decades,” says Chichitike.
His assertions are further buttressed by many others including a pupil who states in a poem that teachers have been sitting under trees like mountain monkeys waiting for redemption.
But the cry of 44 years has finally been genuinely heard, and for T/A Dambe, Mpita Primary School teachers and pupils and many others, the dream that has finally come true is too good to be true.
Tobacco comp any, Alliance One , h a s constructed a classroom block and a teachers’ office apart from supplying the school with desks; a K37 million Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) investment that seeks to help in the advancement of education while also fighting child labour.
So time might have passed; one generation might have missed this gift; but for today, there is joy for the current 700 pupils at Mpita Primary School and thousands others–if not millions–will continue benefiting from the investments.
“As traditional leaders, we are taking seriously issues of educating our children and fighting child labour in tobacco estates, but our efforts are meaningless if there are not proper school structures,” said T/A Dambe when Alliance One recently handed over the two structures and desks to the school.
In fact, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) states that despite education being a human right, millions of children remain deprived of educational opportunities, many as a result of poverty.
The UN agency, just like many other organisations, invites stakeholders to significantly invest in education to promote and develop the right of every person to enjoy access to education of good quality.
“Education is a powerful tool by which economically and socially marginalised adults and children can lift themselves out of poverty and participate fully as citizens,” Unesco says in its overarching key note.
And Alliance One social services coordinator Chimenya says that among its key principles, the company believes that fighting child labour can best be achieved by making sure children have access to education.
“In other districts including Kasungu, we are engaged in similar projects and we have spent at least K135 million because we value education and believe that an educated community is the beginning of all victories,” says Chimenya.
He adds that Alliance one remains committed to assisting Mpita Primary school and has allocated funds for the renovation of an existing structure which is in a poor condition.
“So this is not the end. In fact our commitment does not even with the three other schools. We believe we have a role to play and we will continue playing it because we understand that government on its own cannot solve all the problems in the country,” says Chimenya.
So for Mpita Primary School, the construction of the school block and teachers’ office by Alliance One is the beginning of the redemption that has been needlessly put on hold for 44 years.
And Chichitike hopes more benefactors will continue assisting the school which does not have teachers’ houses and enough sanitary facilities.
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