Kasasa Private Primary School last Saturday celebrated its 20th anniversary at Kasasa Club in Dwangwa, Nkhotakota with calls on teachers to work hard and encourage competitive spirit amongst learners in order to boost quality education at the school.
Speaking at the function, the guest of honour, Wilfred Chakanika, called upon teachers to work very hard and instill the spirit of competitiveness in the learners at the school.
“In the past learners worked very hard but the hard working spirit seems to be dying out. The children who were there when the school was starting had good reasoning skills. That could be noted when you are talking to them,” he said.
Chakanika said that the school was doing well in a number of areas, however, he said that there was need to encourage competition at the school in order to achieve quality education.
Also speaking at the function was the School Board chair who gave a brief history of the school.
“Kasasa Private School started under Dwangwa Sugar Corporation in 1995 with only 4 learners. The school was up to Grade 3 and learners joined Bishop Mackenzie after Grade 3. Mrs. Sue Bester was the first head teacher who set up the foundations of the school. In 1997, the school opened up to senior staff Malawians and by the year 2000, it had 70 learners,” said Jean Manda.
Manda also read an email extract from Mrs. Bester, who is now based in the United States of America.
“Without the children there is no need for a school and without the teachers there is no education. Without the parents there are no children. Without the support of the companies there is no school. Without a head there is no leadership. Without God there is no love.” wrote Bester who is now based in the United States of America and failed to attend the event due to transport logistics.
Indeed without teachers there is no education. It is on this understanding that the school honoured six teachers who have been with the school for over 15 years. The school presented long service awards to Mable Chitokwe, Morton Manjawira, Christopher Chirambo, Mphatso Nkhoma, Ennala Phiri and Idah Gumbo for their contributions to the school.
“My work at Kasasa School has been very good for the past 15 years and when I look back and see the learners who have gone through my classes, I give myself thumbs up.” said Idah Gumbo, one of the recipients of long service award. She added that she had to take some drastic measures in order to instill discipline in the learners.
The school which in its initial stage was offering British National Curriculum and then Integrated Curriculum now offers Cambridge Curriculum and was officially accredited by the British council in 2012 as a Cambridge school.
The event was also attended by the General Managers for Dwangwa Sugar Corporation, Mr Laijit Bachan, Ethanol (Dwangwa) Mrs Lusubiro Chakaniza and Dwangwa Cane growers Limited Mr. Wilfred Chakanika among other dignitaries.
