Mponela 2 Primary School battles for dignity

Mponela 2 Primary School in Dowa District, Malawi, faces a dire situation where learners must clean up used condoms left behind by individuals who use their classrooms for sex at night. The school, with over 3,000 learners, has only two toilets, exacerbating the problem. Treasurer for the Mponela 2 Primary School Parents Teacher Association, Marium Mira, described the situation as "heartbreaking," highlighting its impact on the children.

Deputy head teacher Dickson Muyaba attributed the challenges to the lack of a fence, leaving the school exposed and creating health and safety crises. He warned that the sanitation crisis could trigger a disease outbreak and pleaded for urgent government intervention to address the issues. Muyaba emphasized that the school needs a fence to protect its property and ensure a secure learning environment.

The Community Social Accountability Committee (CSAC) has escalated the matter to the council, which has promised to provide two classroom blocks, one teacher's house, two toilets, and a fence. Member Florence Ndovi stressed the need for tangible action, saying, "We, as CSAC, firstly want to see the fence not just mouth talk or paperwork. Any place without protection is not safe."

Clinical psychologist Professor Chiwoza Bandawe from Kamuzu University of Health Sciences noted that forcing children to clean used condoms violates their dignity and can have serious psychological effects. He explained that children react differently to such issues, depending on their age and understanding, and emphasized that it's the responsibility of school authorities to ensure clean and safe classrooms.

Child rights activist Memory Chisenga condemned the acts as a "gross violation" of children's rights, emphasizing that every child has a right to education and a conducive learning environment. The situation at Mponela 2 Primary School contradicts the aspirations of the Malawi 2063 agenda, which envisions human capital development through quality, inclusive, and dignified education for all.

The Malawi Human Rights Resource Centre (MHRRC) has documented the school's concerns under its Fighting Inequality Project, which aims to equip community members with knowledge to demand their rights. Capacity Development Associate Noel Msiska emphasized that community members must be empowered to demand service delivery, particularly in education.

The plight of Mponela 2 Primary School highlights the need for investment in basic infrastructure like toilets, classrooms, and school fences to ensure a conducive learning environment. The school's learners demand a fence, more toilets, and a classroom that is a classroom, not a bedroom, to enjoy their right to education.

Key points

• The school's situation highlights the need for investment in basic infrastructure to ensure a conducive learning environment.
• Forcing children to clean used condoms can have serious psychological effects and violates their dignity.
• The situation contradicts the aspirations of the Malawi 2063 agenda, which envisions human capital development through quality, inclusive, and dignified education for all.