A Norwegian delegation, led by Norwegian Airlines chief executive officer Geir Karlsen, has expressed satisfaction with the implementation of preparatory classes in Salima District, Malawi. The delegation visited selected beneficiary schools in the district, which Norway is supporting through the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef). Karlsen described the initiative as an important step towards improving early childhood learning. The preparatory classes aim to provide a strong foundation for learning among under-five children.
Karlsen said the visit provided an opportunity for the donors to appreciate the progress made under the programme. He noted that the children have improved in their learning under the programme. Norway has been supporting Unicef for almost 20 years and has donated millions of dollars over the years. Karlsen assured the Malawi Government that Norway will continue supporting the programme and other initiatives through Unicef.
Unicef-Norway leader Maria Greenberg Berghein emphasized the importance of the preparatory classes in giving under-five children a strong foundation for learning. However, she also acknowledged that the programme still faces challenges, including cases of children attending classes without having eaten. Berghein suggested that this issue could be looked into to ensure the programme's effectiveness.
Salima district commissioner Thokozire Munthali expressed gratitude to Norway and Unicef for their continued support towards education development in the district. She noted that the preparatory classes will help children in Salima have a good foundation for learning. Munthali's sentiments were echoed by Salima district director of education Veronica Nyaka, who emphasized the need to strengthen the initiative.
According to Nyaka, the preparatory classes are helping learners improve their foundational learning skills. Currently, the preparatory classes are running in 12 schools in the lakeshore district with support from the World Bank and 15 schools with support from Unicef. The programme's expansion has positively impacted the education sector in Salima.
The Norwegian delegation's visit to Salima District highlights the importance of partnerships between governments, international organizations, and local communities in promoting education development. The preparatory classes programme is a testament to the collaborative efforts between Norway, Unicef, and the Malawi Government to improve early childhood learning outcomes.
The Malawi Government and its partners are working together to address the challenges facing the education sector, particularly in rural areas. The preparatory classes programme is a step towards achieving this goal, and its success will depend on the continued support of partners like Norway and Unicef.
Key points
- Norway has donated millions of dollars to Unicef over the years to support education initiatives in Malawi.
- The preparatory classes programme is currently running in 27 schools in Salima District, with support from the World Bank and Unicef.
- The programme aims to provide a strong foundation for learning among under-five children in Malawi.
