Deputy Minister of Education Nancy Chaola Mdooko has expressed disappointment over progress of Equity with Quality and Learning at Secondary (EQUALS) projects in Chikwawa.
On Friday, Mdooko visited three secondary schools namely; Mbiya, Makande and Chikwawa to appreciate progress of laboratories construction.
“The work being done is of poor quality. I understand construction was suspended because the contractor was using unregistered foremen and I commend that decision,” she said.
She said her ministry will use recommendations from the National Construction Industry Council (NCIC) and a subsequent audit by the ministry to map the way forward on the work being carried in the district.
The Deputy Minister said she will instruct the Directorate of the Education Infrastructure Management Unit to conduct an audit and advice on the way forward following suspension of construction works by NCIC.
EQUALS project, whose aim is to improve quality of science and mathematics instruction in Community Day Secondary Schools (CDSSs) and increase access to secondary education in selected remote areas, gave hope to learners and parents in the district to accessing quality education.
Chairperson for Chikwawa Secondary School Mother Group, Rose M’bande said the learners and parents were looking forward to the completion of the project.
M’bande said it is worrisome that the project has been suspended. However, she hopes that authorities will solve the issues as soon as possible so that construction can restart.
