By Staff Writer
Batoka Innovation, a wholly Zambianowned company, has officially handed over a three-classroom block and a two-bedroom teacher’s house at Nsongwe Primary School, and a community hall, to the people of Nsongwe Village in Kazungula District, Southern Province.
Three projects were carried out by Nsongwe Properties Limited, an affiliate of Batoka Innovation, at a total cost of K3.5 million and are part of Batoka Innovation’s continued corporate social responsibility efforts in two key focus areas of Nsongwe Village and Ngabwe in Central Province.
Batoka Innovation chairperson, Mr Michael Tarney, said the classroom block and teacher’s house will go a long way in improving the standards of education at the school, equipping the learners with vital tools to prepare them for survival and hopefully a successful life.
He said the provision of quality education to children in rural areas is the best way to ensure a bright future for them.
Mr Tarney stated: “As Batoka Innovation, we recognise the important and transformative role that education plays in a child’s life, regardless of the background. And we also know that ultimately, good education has a great impact on national development and social progress.”
“We, therefore, take this project at Nsongwe Village not only as a community investment activity, but as a noble gesture and investment into our future – our children,” he added.
Established in 1967, Nsongwe Primary School, which has a total of 447 pupils, has faced various challenges and has relied on well-wishers like Batoka Innovation to overcome them.
The school mainly faced a critical shortage of basic infrastructure such as accommodation for teachers and classrooms for learners. The school only had nine staff houses against 17 teachers. Many teachers have to live far away from the school, or in houses not befitting their status, thereby dampening their morale to work.
The shortage of classrooms forced pupils to learn in unconducive environments such as under trees, opens spaces or in dilapidated buildings. This situation also led to overcrowding in the available classrooms, which made learning in extreme hot weather conditions unfavourable.
Speaking at the hand-over ceremony, Kazungula District Commissioner, Elias Siamibila, said the new infrastructure will greatly enhance students’ learning experience by providing them with a conducive and comfortable environment. He said Batoka Innovation’s contribution will have a lasting impact on the education and future of the children in Nsongwe.
Mr Siamibila said: “Teachers will be able to deliver quality lessons because of the conducive teaching and learning environment, which will in turn enhance performance.
A self-contained 2 staff house itself is a motivation factor for teachers. Your support is a testimony of your dedication to the well-being and development of our community.” He further stated that Government appreciates the collaboration with the private sector in bringing development.
And Nsongwe Primary School head teacher Patrick Kaywala described the building of a classroom block and teacher’s house at the school as a ‘game-changer’. “This has highly motivated the teaching staff as well as our learners to work harder even as we endeavour to make our school a school of excellence. Your support is a game-changer and we have no reason to
underperform,” he said.
District Education Board (DEBS) secretary Florence Mudenda said the efforts by Batoka Innovation is supplementing Government in implementing the free education policy by creating more learning spaces for pupils. “…when I look at the infrastructure we have received today, it is of high quality and we are happy that there are already desks in the classrooms; it is very exciting for us; I have seen the house, it’s a beautiful piece,” she said.
Mukuni chiefdom Prime Minister Stanley Siachiyubi, who spoke on behalf of Chief Mukuni, thanked the three directors of Batoka Innovation – Ms Namwene Mkandawire, Mr Siyanga Malumo and Mr Tarney for their kindness through their social investment.
“The three came together not thinking of themselves, but to help others with greater need.” he said.
He praised their humanitarian work, saying “to see others advance is a wonderful thought”.
Additionally, Batoka Innovation has built a multi-purpose community hall for the people of Nsongwe to host events such as meetings and social gatherings.
Michael Tarney commented that the infrastructure built in Nsongwe Village is driven by Batoka Innovation’s quest to supplement Government efforts to achieve the desired development across the country, ensuring that no one is left behind, regardless of location. “It is our firm belief that the responsibility to develop our nation does not lie with government alone, but with every concerned citizen who has this nation at heart,” he said.
Mr Tarney commented that Batoka Innovation will continue to respond to the needs of the rural communities in its key focus areas and beyond. In May 2024, Batoka Innovation handed over a water reticulation system constructed at a cost of K1.2 million to the people of Nsongwe, in its effort to alleviate the suffering of the residents, who were facing challenges in accessing water for drinking, as well as for their animals.
The company has also constructed a three-classroom block and dormitory at Ngabwe Secondary School.
