By Burnett Munthali
In a bold statement, former President and leader of the People’s Party (PP), Dr. Joyce Banda, announced that secondary education will be free for all students if her party returns to power in the upcoming elections. This declaration came during her engagement with party supporters at a rally held in Nkhamenya, Kasungu district.
Dr. Banda emphasized the importance of education in shaping the future of the nation, noting that many children, particularly from low-income families, face significant barriers to accessing quality education. “Many children are denied the opportunity to receive a proper education because their parents are unable to afford the costs associated with secondary schooling,” she stated.
The former president expressed her deep concern regarding the ongoing challenges within the healthcare system, particularly the lack of essential medicines in many hospitals across the country. She pledged that if re-elected, her administration would prioritize the availability of medicines and continue the good governance practices she initiated during her previous tenure.
“Once we are back in government, we will ensure that medicines are available in our hospitals, and we will continue the excellent work in maternal health that we started,” Dr. Banda promised, highlighting her commitment to improving healthcare services for all Malawians.
Peter Kamange, the party’s Deputy Leader, echoed Dr. Banda’s sentiments, stating that the People’s Party is dedicated to serving the Malawian populace by fostering diverse development initiatives across the nation. He called on party supporters to unite and rally behind Dr. Banda to secure a better future for Malawi.
Beatrice Mwale, the party’s national women’s leader, asserted that the time has come for Malawians to allow Dr. Banda to continue the development projects she initiated during her presidency. “We believe that with Dr. Banda’s leadership, we can achieve the progress that our country deserves,” she affirmed.
As the country gears up for the elections, Dr. Banda’s promises of free secondary education and improved healthcare resonate with many voters, reflecting the urgent need for significant reforms in both sectors.
