ZAMBIA: Church in Malawi Pledges Quality Education
Bishop Ryan,
By Monicah Gondwe
The Catholic Diocese of Mzuzu in Malawi through the education department has promised its commitment to continue complementing government’s effort in providing quality education.
While commemorating International Day of Education at Chasato Primary School in Mzimba District on Thursday, January 25, Bishop John Alphonsus Ryan stressed the pledge asking parents and other stakeholders to cooperate if the country is to achieve quality and equal education for all learners.
He appealed to parents, teachers, and other stakeholders during the event that was convened by the Catholic Department of Education Commission (DOMEC) to make sure that every child including those with special needs attain the right to quality education.
“Each child is precious, and there is a need for them to be given every opportunity to develop properly and become an independent person,” he said.
The member of St. Patrick’s Society (SPS) for the foreign Mission, further emphasized the need to train special needs teachers in schools to achieve inclusive education.
Malawi Council for the Handicapped (MACOHA) district Rehabilitation manager for the Mzimba district, Ms. Mary Stella Zephaniah, said the major setback when it comes to the education of disabled children, is because some parents have not grasped the importance of sending children with disabilities to school.
“We are very proud that now children with disabilities are also selected to various secondary schools in the country, as I am speaking, one child from Kamatawo area was selected to Kaseye girls’ secondary school, and later she joined the University of Malawi. Now she has graduated with a credit, so parents should not look down on their children who are disabled,” she explained.
On his part, Lupakisho Baleya who represented the Director of Education, Youth, and Sports in the district said, their office is committed to providing inclusive education.
“Every year resources are given through the School Improvement Plan (SIP) which helps learners attain better education though the resources are not enough” he narrated.
The pupils’ representative Leonia Phiri a Standard 8 learner at Chasato Primary School encouraged fellow learners to work hard in class if they want to become better people in the near future.
On 24 January every year, the world commemorates International Day of Education, and this year the Catholic Diocese of Mzuzu Education Commission (DOMEC) commemorated the day under the theme “Learning for Lasting Peace”.
