Authorities at Nyodola Community Day Secondary School (CDSS) in Thyolo have described inadequate infrastructure as a major challenge affecting lessons and student performance.

Deputy Headteacher at the school, Rabecca Chiwaya, told Zodiak Online Friday that the school is operating with only three classroom blocks, making it difficult to accommodate all learners through the route arrangement.

"The lack of adequate classroom blocks is a major drawback to both teaching and learning. With only three blocks, we struggle to fit in all the students and this affects performance. We are lacking science laboratory, library, and electricity connection,” said Chiwaya.

She made the remarks during the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of an ICT laboratory under the Connect a School project financed through the Universal Service Fund.

On the ICT lab, she explained that they have been spending a lot to have computer services besides students struggling to access some lessons like all other students elsewhere.

Group Village Head Mangwalala also pledged support, vowing to help protect the facility.

She said “we will ensure that no one steal construction materials here. We will employ another security guard to beef up security her”.
Meanwhile, Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) Consumer Affairs Manager, Hatchson Mkwapatira, said the ICT lab is part of a national rollout.

“We are developing an ICT curriculum that will make the subject compulsory as Malawi works towards achieving Vision 2063,” he said.“Under Phase II of the Universal Service Fund programme, we are constructing 120 computer laboratories across the country, each equipped with 60 computers and internet connectivity. This initiative will help more than six million children who currently lack ICT skills,” added Mkwapatira.

The ICT laboratory at Nyodola CDSS is expected to improve digital literacy among learners while easing infrastructure challenges faced by the school. Meanwhile, Thyolo District is set to benefit five labs in the second phase.