By Chisomo Kambandanga

Nkhata Bay, June 4, Mana: Director of Education and Sports for Nkhata Bay District Council, Votie Mboweni, has hailed the home-grown school feeding program known as Tsogolo la Thanzi (TSOLATA) Phase 2 for contributing to an increase in primary school enrollment in the district.

TSOLATA Phase 2 is a European Union-funded program implemented by Nkhata Bay District Council through the World Food Programme (WFP) to improve nutrition, education, and economic empowerment of local farmers.

Speaking on Tuesday during a monitoring visit to Chintheche Primary School, Mboweni expressed optimism about the program’s progress, highlighting increased enrollment, improved attendance, and better performance across the 35 schools implementing it.

“We are impressed with the fruits the program is bearing in the district. Currently, the district-wide enrollment has risen from 89,000 in 2024 to 95,000 this year, with Chintheche Primary School seeing an increase from 1,530 to 1,680 leaners and we partly attribute this to the program,” he said.

Mboweni therefore expressed optimism that the program will be sustained because community members are involved in all stages and all key structures have been given capacity building trainings.

The Secretary for Tiyanjane Farmers Organization, Julie Phiri noted that the program has provided a reliable market for their produce and enhanced their skills in financial management, procurement, and crop care which they can even apply outside the program to improve their households and market base.

In his remarks, food committee member at Chiole Primary School James Chirwa pledged to continue providing high-quality food to support students' education and health.

TSOLATA Phase 2 is currently implemented in 35 out of 203 primary schools in Nkhata Bay, with plans to phase out in 2026.