Ekwendeni Resource Centre for the Blind in Mzimba District is operating without electricity following the damage to an electrical Supply Corporation of Malawi(Escom) connection cable one and half years ago.
The situation has disappointed Minister of Education Agnes NyaLonje who visited the school on Friday.
In an interview with Chimwemwe Mvula, a specialist teacher at the institution, said when they contacted Escom, they were told that the utility company does not have the cable to supply electricity to the school.
”we have been to escom time and again. We even paid the required amount for the reinstallation of power, but we have not been assisted,” he said.
Mvula said the situation is affecting the learning of children who have different degrees of visual impairment.
”We are failing to transform print materials into Braille because we don’t have electricity. As a result, the embosser is just gathering dust,” he said.
Mvula said during examinations, they dictate questions to learners.
On her part, NyaLonje said she was disappointed with the delay to reconnect power to the school.
”This issue needs to be handled with the urgency it deserve. Escom should priotise such schools,” she said.
NyaLonje has since asked Mzimba North District Education Office to take up the matter.
In an interview yesterday, Escom spokesperson Kitty Chingota said they are aware of the problem and they are treating it as a priority.
”They paid for the services recently so we are mobilizing materials to restore power. Some materials will be sources locally, but for those that we do not have, we shall wait for the consignment from abroad,” she said.
The school has 45 learners and two teachers.
Source: The Nation_July 20, 2022_By Martha Chirambo-Staff Reporter