AfricaBrief: Save the Children constructs two secondary schools in Zomba By Synd Kalimbuka Zomba, January 19, Mana: Save the Children has constructed two community Day Secondary schools in the areas of Traditional Authorities (TAs) Chikowi and Mbiza in Zomba district as one way of promoting quality education in the country, It is hoped that the schools will increase number of students especially girls selected from primary schools to continue their studies in secondary schools in the district. Speaking during the media tour Friday, Save the Children Area Operations Manager for Eastern Region, Lexon Ndalama said the organization noted that standard 8 students who have passed Primary School Leaving Certificate with good grades had slim chances to get selected to secondary school because the two TAs had none. “’The lucky ones were selected to distant schools forcing them to walk a distance of over 14 kilometres to reach nearby community day secondary schools. This had a negative impact on the performance of students particularly girls, ‘’he observed, adding that but now the distance has been cut short. Ndalama said the schools have been constructed with funding from two Americans whom he said wanted to remain anonymous to the tune of US$ 168, 000. But the donors have named the schools after their mothers; Tillie and Bevlee respectively. The two Schools have started their operations this academic year and have so far registered form one students only selected from the feeder primary schools within the vicinity. Save the children started implementing projects in TA Chikowi in Zomba in 2008 in the thematic areas of education, youth development and Early Childhood Development (ECD) among others. The two schools comprise two classroom blocks each, a Laboratory, Library, administration block, a staff house and toilets. The two secondary schools are expected to be handed over to the community by the First Lady. Prof. Dr. Gertrude Mutharika next week on Tuesday.