Minister of Education Madalitso Kambawuwa Wirima has disclosed plans to construct 10, 900 classroom blocks and 1,000 wash facilities in various primary schools across the country.

Wirima made the disclosure yesterday in Machinga saying the development is being rolled out under the Malawi Education Reform Programme (MERP).

She said: “The main component of the programme, I must say is construction of 10,900 classroom blocks across the country in in all the primary schools that we have across the country where the need is this seeks to decongest the classrooms like I said, the programme is there to improve the education outcomes.”

Apart from the construction works, Wirima added that government is providing funds to targeted schools for daily operations under the School Improvement Grants.

The education minister said once completed, the programme will assist in improving the teacher-pupil ratio.

“This is programme that’s going to run across the country in almost all the primary schools in the country, which seeks to improve education outcomes.

“We have got a school improvement grant that’s provided to the schools we also have an auxiliary teacher component in there, which seeks to cushion the need for a more teachers as we as we are working towards recruiting more teachers. We also have a learner-mentor component in the same,” said Wirima.

Paramount Chief Kawinga of Machinga District has commended government saying the programme will play a critical role in improving the education sector.

From Kanjedza Primary School in Machinga, the minister inspected similar project at Ferry Primary Scholl in Balaka District.

The Programme, which is being financed by the World Bank, Global Partnership for Education and the Malawi Government, is rolling out in all the 34 education districts across Malawi.