Communities reject ‘poor’ school block project in Chiradzulu
Chiradzulu District Council officials Thursday cancelled the handover ceremony of Samikwa school block project in T/A Mpama constructed with funding from the Local Development Fund (LDF).
Communities rejected the project arguing it was sub-standard as it would not provide a conducive learning environment for pupils.
“On behalf of the community, we will not receive this project until such a time that the contractor and the council put cement on the floor to make it (school block) conducive for pupils learning,” said Member of Parliament for Chiradzulu North, Margret Mauwa whose words were echoed by Senior Chief Mpama.
“How can we receive a new school block with damaged floor and black boards? Where did the cement meant for the floor go,” wondered Chief Mpama.
Mauwa and Senior Chief Mpama said it was an insult to the communities for the council to handover a structure that is of poor quality adding that when people in the areas proposed the project they never expected to receive such a poor structure.
In his remarks, District Education Manager (Dem) for Chiradzulu, Charles Sakwata, concurred with the sentiments of chief Mpama and the MP, saying a block without cement floor would not be conducive for pupils learning.
“The aim of LDF projects is to among other things, ensure that quality education is promoted through construction of up-to-standard school blocks and teachers houses,” said Sakwata.
Director of Planning and Development for Chiradzulu District Council, Douglas Moffat, said the council would find ways and means of improving on the structure to make it habitable.
He said the council could not just sit on its laurels, but would liaise with other stakeholders to find the way forward on the project.
The council officials, however, managed to handover the school block and a teacher’s house. Mauwa then appealed to parents to send children, especially the girl child to school for the LDF to be meaningful.
