Education Minister Pledges New Conventional Secondary School for Mangochi Municipality
Minister of Education, Science and Technology Bright Msaka has pledged that government will construct a new conventional secondary school in Mangochi Municipality to improve access to secondary education in the constituency.
Speaking in Parliament on Thursday, Msaka acknowledged the challenges faced by learners in Mangochi Municipality due to the limited number of secondary schools.
He said the constituency has 13 feeder primary schools but only two secondary schools—Mangochi Secondary School and St. Monica Community Day Secondary School.
According to the minister, an average of 1,088 Standard Eight learners sit for the Primary School Leaving Certificate of Education (PSLCE) examinations every year, yet only about 300 are selected to secondary school.
“This situation has forced many learners to repeat Standard Eight in the hope of securing selection into secondary school,” Msaka said.
He urged Mangochi Municipal legislator Rodrick Clement Chiwaya to work with the Mangochi District Council to identify suitable land and submit it to the ministry to facilitate the construction of the new school.
“Government has a plan and is committed to constructing a new conventional secondary school in Mangochi Municipality,” Msaka confirmed.
Reacting to the announcement, Chiwaya welcomed the government’s commitment, describing it as a long-awaited breakthrough for the people of the constituency.
“The people of Mangochi Municipality have been waiting for this for a very long time. We are pleased that this school will finally be built. I urge the people of Mangochi Municipality to continue trusting and supporting me, and to join hands so that this project can commence as soon as possible,” he said.
Chiwaya added that, besides the proposed secondary school, several other development projects are underway in the constituency through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), including the construction of roads and under-five clinics.
Parliament is expected to conclude deliberations for the Third Meeting of the 52nd Session of the National Assembly on Friday afternoon.
