By Jones Gadama
The future of Tayamika Orphan Secondary School in Mchinji hangs in the balance as it faces a severe food shortage that threatens to close its doors.
The school, which provides care and education to 1,324 orphans, is struggling to feed its students, with proprietor Christopher Lemose warning that the institution may be forced to shut down if the situation does not improve.
According to Lemose, the school has been facing numerous challenges, including a lack of resources and infrastructure.
However, the food shortage has become the most pressing issue, with the school struggling to provide meals for its students.
Lemose expressed his concern for the students, particularly those who are preparing to sit for their Junior Certificate of Education (JCE) and Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE) exams.
“We are doing everything we can to keep the school running, but it’s becoming increasingly difficult,” Lemose said adding, “We are appealing to well-wishers to come to our aid. We need food, resources, and support to keep our students in school.”
The school has been providing free education to over 500 students, while 824 students in the nursery section also receive free education.
However, the lack of resources has made it challenging for the school to sustain itself.
Lemose noted that some students were chased from government schools due to non-payment of school fees, while others were enrolled at the school after a member of parliament failed to fulfill a promise to pay their school fees.
District Social Welfare Officer Joyce Thotho Malika acknowledged the challenges facing the school and assured that her office would work to find solutions.
“We are aware of the problems the school is facing, and we will do everything we can to support them,” Malika said.
The situation at Tayamika Orphan Secondary School highlights the challenges faced by many schools in Malawi, particularly those in rural areas.
The lack of resources, infrastructure, and support can have a devastating impact on the education and well-being of students.
As the school struggles to stay afloat, Lemose is calling on well-wishers to come to their aid. “We are grateful for any support we can receive,” Lemose said. “We can be reached at 0997947946 or 0887569120.”
The fate of Tayamika Secondary School and its students hangs in the balance.
As the school waits for support, the students’ future remains uncertain.
Will they be able to continue their education, or will they become the latest victims of Malawi’s struggling education system?
