By Burnett Munthali

The Northern Region Education Division has raised concerns over the persistent lack of hostels in many secondary schools across the region, stating that the issue poses a serious threat to the realization of Malawi’s long-term development agenda, Malawi 2063.

According to the division’s School Health and Nutrition Officer, Zamiwe Nkhoma, the absence of accommodation facilities in schools is derailing the quality of education, particularly for the girl child.

Nkhoma observed that most girls are forced to operate from home, where they are exposed to various domestic chores before attending classes, a situation that creates deep educational inequalities between boys and girls.

She made the remarks on Tuesday during the official opening ceremony of a newly constructed girls’ hostel at Kunyanja Private Secondary School in Nkhata Bay.

The 50-capacity hostel, built at a cost of K90 million, has been co-funded by the Beit Trust and Masambiro Charity, a UK-based organization that has supported education initiatives in the area for years.

The facility is expected to provide a safe and conducive learning environment for girls, significantly reducing the burden of commuting and the risks associated with staying off-campus.

Feston Singoyi, the Managing Director of Kunyanja Private Secondary School, commended the development partners for their support and assured the general public and the Ministry of Education that the school remains committed to complementing government efforts in improving the country’s education sector.

Singoyi emphasized that the school will continue to invest in quality education and infrastructure to ensure learners have the best possible opportunities to succeed.

Jason Strelitz from Masambiro Charity UK, who has been involved with the school for over 21 years, also spoke during the event, urging the students to make the most of the facility.

Strelitz reminded the learners that the funders expect excellent academic outcomes as a return on their investment, underscoring the importance of discipline, commitment, and hard work.

The opening of the girls’ hostel at Kunyanja Private Secondary School comes at a time when stakeholders across Malawi are increasingly calling for greater investment in girl-friendly infrastructure as a catalyst for gender parity in education.

With the support of both local and international partners, schools like Kunyanja are setting a strong example of how targeted interventions can bridge existing gaps and promote equal educational opportunities for all learners.