Investing in Education: How Improved Infrastructure Is Boosting Performance in Malawi

World Vision has embarked on a transformative effort to enhance the learning environment at Mwanga Primary School in Phalombe by constructing a new classroom block and modern toilets, addressing critical infrastructure challenges that have long hindered the quality of education. 

 For years, students at Mwanga Primary School struggled with overcrowded classrooms, insufficient learning materials, and a lack of basic amenities like desks and adequate sanitation facilities. 

The new classroom block, furnished with desks for every student, marks a significant improvement in the school’s capacity to provide a conducive learning environment.

Previously, students were forced to sit on the floor or share limited desks, impacting their concentration and overall academic performance. 

Now, with proper seating and an improved learning space, students can focus better on their studies, laying a stronger foundation for their educational journey. 

 One of the learners, Violet, a Standard 4 student, praised World Vision for the beautiful block and modern toilets.

 "I am optimistic to work hard so that one day should reach Standard 7 and learn in the beautiful block and sit on a desk. 

“For a long time, our school did not have a modern block like this, and many learners opted to go to other schools while others dropped out because of overcrowding as we had few classrooms., “he said.

She said: “This made us not concentrate because we were many, and school was not exciting, and our performance was not good.

The standard four learner feels good that her school is now beautiful, and many girls who stopped coming are now coming, and we are no longer having noises.

Violet expressed her gratitude to World Vision for their good deeds, ensuring they learn in a good environment, and she asked them to continue supporting the school. 

She added that the new toilets will help them avoid diseases like diarrhea, as the previous toilets were not in good condition, making them sick and miss school.

 Another learner, Stanley, in Standard 7, shared his excitement about the new block.

 "It feels good to be in a new block and concentrate on the class. Before, there were 105 students in a small class, and it was just too much, and I couldn’t concentrate. 

But now, many children are fascinated with the new beautiful block, and they want to come and continue their studies. I am so happy for World Vision’s help because we are now free and learning in a good environment.,” he said.

When he writes his Standard 8 exams, he wants to be selected to Dedza Secondary School and later be a police officer to help my community.

Mwanga Headteacher Bernadette Jailosi commented on the new development, noting that the school has a total of 2,519 learners. 

“Because of many learners, it was very hard for teachers to manage an overcrowded classroom. These challenges made many children skip classes and drop out.

 “With few toilets, we experienced lack of hygiene, which caused diseases like diarrhea, making students miss school for treatment, resulting in poor performance, “she said.

But after the development of the new block, it has created a good environment for the children. The block has two classrooms with 50 students in each class, but as I have already said, we have 144 in one class instead of 50.  

Still, it has improved the learning conditions at this school, and performance has improved.

 Additionally, Jailosi highlighted that the construction of new toilets is a crucial step in promoting better hygiene and reducing absenteeism, especially among female students.

"With these new facilities, we are hopeful that Mwanga Primary School is poised to see higher attendance rates, improved student health, and greater academic achievements, ultimately contributing to the community’s goal of fostering higher education for all children," she declared.