93 Years Without a School: Kapulula Community Cries Out for Help

By Blessings Kaunda……..

For nearly a century, children in Kapulula Village under Traditional Authority Khosolo in Mzimba have grown up without a school in their community, forcing generations of learners to walk long distances in search of education while residents accuse authorities of neglecting their plight.

The community, which has been settled in the area since 1933, says repeated appeals to both local and national leaders have failed to bring educational facilities closer to their children.

One of the village’s elderly residents, Chiyendayenda Kamanga, said the absence of a school has contributed to widespread illiteracy and poverty among families in the area.

Kamanga, believed to have been born in the early 1940s, said many residents feel forgotten after decades of unsuccessful efforts to secure a school.

“I do not know my exact birth year because my parents were illiterate. I also cannot read or write. Our appeals for a school have never produced results,” said Kamanga.

According to Kamanga, only two children from the village have managed to reach Form Four since the community was established 93 years ago.

The community has not remained idle. Residents mobilized resources to construct two classroom blocks, teachers’ houses, and a toilet, while also hiring a volunteer teacher whose salary was supported through community contributions.

“We built classrooms, teachers’ houses and sanitation facilities, and even hired a teacher using our own resources, but there was no response from the government,” he said.

He explained that the only two learners who completed secondary school did so after relocating to Nkhotakota to live with relatives who could provide easier access to education.

Currently, children from Kapulula walk up to 15 kilometres to Mphalapala Primary School, seven kilometres to Chanombo Primary School, and eight kilometres to Bowa Primary School, journeys residents say discourage school attendance and contribute to high dropout rates.

Member of Parliament for Mzimba South East, Wilfred Kagona, acknowledged the challenge and described the community’s concerns as legitimate.

“I am officially aware of this challenge and it is really genuine for these people. However, I have just been elected into office and I am still consulting stakeholders on the way forward. I will communicate officially once possible solutions have been identified,” said Kagona.

Kagona added that the constituency is awaiting the release of Constituency Development Fund (CDF) resources, which could help support infrastructure projects such as school construction.

Meanwhile, Director of Education and Sports for M’mbelwa District Council, Bridgette Nungu, said her office had not previously been informed about the situation in Kapulula.

Nungu advised communities seeking educational facilities to channel their requests through councillors, who can formally present the proposals to relevant authorities.

She further explained that the establishment of a junior primary school requires a minimum of five hectares of land, two classroom blocks, two teachers’ houses and other supporting infrastructure.

As Kapulula marks 93 years without a school, residents say they remain hopeful that future generations will not have to endure the same struggle for education that has affected the community for decades.