Councillor bemoans shortage of classrooms

OVER 160 pupils from grade one to five are sharing a 1x2 classroom block in Chilwa ward of Ngabwe district due to lack of classroom space.

Chishimu Community School, the only school in Chilwa ward was built by its councillor, Geoffrey Mulenga at a cost of K28,000.

Speaking in an interview in Ngabwe district, Mr Mulenga said pupils in different grades are forced to share the two classroom due to lack of infrastructure and are being taught by one volunteer teacher.

“We have 160 pupils in grade one to five that are sharing two classrooms Chishimu community school because it’s all we could afford. And it’s the only school in Chilwa ward,” said Mr Mulenga.

He has appealed for the expansion of the school infrastructure to increase on classroom space.

And Mr Mulenga has highlighted fishing activities in Chilwa ward as a challenge to school attendance.

He said some parents were withdrawing their children from school in preference to fishing which he said was the only source of income in the area.

Mr Mulenga said the number of school children had since reduced from 180 to 160 as a result of fishing activities in the area.

And Ngabwe Town ouncil chairperson, Thabiso Tshili Mizinga encouraged pupils to complete school and guard against child marriages and pregnancies.

Ms Mizinga promised to distribute books to every pupil donated by President Edgar Lungu.