The Ministry of Education Praises Goods for Good's Efforts - Aaron Lewani

One bright Saturday morning in August, I joined Mr. Kalanda, the Director of Primary Basic Education from the government’s Ministry of Education, in visiting public primary schools in Malawi. Mr. Kalanda had asked to tour Goods for Good’s projects at schools in Malawi after working with us for some time on our project at Tiyambe Nawo. Brian Mlenga from Africare, our program partner, also accompanied us. After a fascinating drive in which we discussed everything from marriage to the US elections, we finally arrived at Msamba Adzukulu Primary School in Dowa district where the Head teacher, the School Committee Members, and Group Village Headmen warmly welcomed us.

At Msamba Adzukulu, Mr. Kalanda first had a meeting with the School Teachers, Local Leaders and School Committee Members. During the meeting, the Head Teacher, Mr. Phiri, made a summary presentation of what Goods for Good and Africare are doing at the school. He spoke glowingly about how Africare is supporting the school with sanitary facilities while Goods for Good is supporting them with pens and paper to the students. He highlighted the Teacher Supplies Closet program, which provided flipcharts, markers, lesson planning pads and pens to the teachers. “This support has tremendously improved our work, which has resulted in increased school attendance and enrollment. We are now enjoying our work more, since we have the materials to use when working,” said Mr. Phiri.

The Group Village Headman also gave a short speech, in which he said: “Goods for Good has done a commendable job. As parents, we stopped worrying for pens. Children are much more interested in school than before because they have necessary writing materials. This has boosted their morale in school.” He emphasized that the problems, unfortunately, are still many, and he asked the Ministry of Education if it could support them with iron sheets to roof an empty and unusable school block.

After the community members presented, Mr. Kalanda had an opportunity to speak. He said, “Today, I am very impressed with what I have heard and seen for myself. As government, the funding that we receive from our national budget is too small to reach over 5,000 primary schools in the country. When we encounter organizations like Goods for Good and Africare, we really appreciate their work very much.” He went on to say that donating two pens per term to each student in 13 schools makes a big difference and saves the communities a lot of money. He also commended the Teacher Supply Closet program, noting it is very helpful since the teachers need many resources to plan and teach the children. He commended the community for taking part in the development of their own village, and advised them to pursue Members of Parliament for constituent funds for the iron sheets.

On his part, he pledged to send more teachers to the school. He said that immediately after that meeting he would convene meetings with the District Education Managers to discuss problems that the primary schools are facing in the districts. He noted that the problems at Msamba Adzukulu Primary School would be used as an example during those meetings. “Our ministry has a lot of work to do which we cannot accomplish on our own. The help we receive from partners like Goods for Good matters most,” he said in conclusion.