By Robert Nayeja

Nsanje, June 20, Mana: Commissioner for Department of Disaster Risk Management Affairs (DODMA) Rev. Moses Chimphepo has assured communities that construction of Muona Primary School in Nsanje North Constituency will finish before opening of 2025/2026 school calendar in September this year.

Chimphepo made the assurance on Friday during interface meeting with the communities on progress of the school project at Muona in Senior Chief Mlolo’s area.

“The works have delayed due to a number of reasons but be assured that government is committed to finalize the project before opening of first term in September this year,” said Chimphepo.

He further assured the communities that government will provide all necessary support to finish the project in time, adding that changes of design contributed to the delay.

“We want to build school blocks that are resilient to disasters,” he added and further advised community members to take active role in the project.

Nsanje District Education Officer, Dalitso Chapita, said a number of learners at the relocated Muona School had dropped out due to lack of proper structures.

“The School had more than 1,000 learners but as of now it has 731 learners only and, among them, 359 are boys,” said Chapita.

Senior Chief Mlolo pledged continued community support to ensure successful and timely completion of the school project.

“We are very grateful that the project has commenced and that materials for the construction have arrived at the construction site. We thank the President Dr, Lazarus Chakwera for allocating resources for construction of the school,” said Senior Chief Mlolo.

Muona Primary School is being constructed at a new site with K525 million from Presidential Charity Initiative after the school was destroyed by floods, leaving learners learning in tents and temporary shelters at Muona Admarc.

The project includes the construction of eight classrooms and an administration block at the new location.

Reconstruction of Muona site was decided after land disputes at Mpatsa Primary School in the area of Senior Chief Tengani, compelling relocation of the project at the new site which was agreed upon by chiefs.