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UNESCO DONATES TEACHING AND LEARNING MATERIALS TO SCHOOLS AFFECTED BY CYCLONE FREDDY
- 24,Oct 2023
- Posted By : icerim
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- unesco
UNESCO, through the Malawi National Commission for UNESCO donated teaching and learning materials to the Ministry of Education to support primary schools that were affected by Tropical Cyclone Freddy in Phalombe and Nsanje districts. In a symbolic handover ceremony that took place in Lilongwe, the Commission handed over 4200 books for Standard 1 to eight, covering various subjects.
Speaking during the ceremony, Acting Deputy Executive Secretary for the Commission David Mulera said the donation underscores the organisations mandate of promoting right to quality education. He added that the donation is a response to an appeal made by the State President on 14th March 2023 following devastation caused by the Cyclone.
“This support, Guest of Honour, is in response to the appeal for support the UNESCO National Commission made to UNESCO Regional office for Southern Africa following the appeal for support made to the international and local development partner organisations, communities, and the private sector as well as citizens of good will” added Mulera.
Receiving the donation, Principal Secretary for Basic Education Racheal Chimbwete Phiri expressed gratitude and said the supplies will assist in closing the gap that was created by the effects of the disaster.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, the effects of Tropical Cyclone Freddy were unprecedented. As you may recall, over 724,800 learners (including 368,313 girls) and 3,656 learners with disabilities were affected in diverse ways. In their desperation the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in schools ended up destroying the teaching and learning materials. According to the National Disaster Recovery Framework, the Education Sector needs USD3,304,785.00 to recover from the teaching and learning materials alone. In order to meet such a need, the Ministry needs support. UNESCO has therefore come at the right time to help meet the need”, clarified Chimbwete Phiri.
The Principal Secretary further made an appeal to stakeholders to emulate UNESCO’s example in order to create a conducive learning environment for learners.
Also present at the ceremony were officials from the Department of Disaster Affairs Management (DODMA). On 12th March this year, the Ministry of Education announced suspension of all classes in districts that were affected by Cyclone Freddy which was later extended to 31st March 2023. According to the Ministry of Education, 253 schools and over 724,000 learners were affected by the Cyclone in diverse ways.
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