New Educational Perspectives with New School

In Malawi, we have begun construction of a secondary school. When completed, it will give 360 children the opportunity to attend more than just primary school.

By Lennart zur Bonsen, Project Manager Malawi

Bonn, May 26th, 2025 – For about six months now, construction has been progressing steadily in the small town of Kalanga in Malawi. The small village in the Mwanza District, located about 110 kilometers west of Blantyre, is receiving a much-needed new secondary school for grades 9 through 12. The school is intended to relieve the existing facility in Thambani, which previously served as the only secondary school for ten surrounding primary schools (grades 1 through 8).

Each year, about 300 students pass the entrance examination, but until now only around 90 of them could be admitted – too few for the high demand. Children who are not accepted must turn to other private secondary schools or go to larger cities like Blantyre, depending entirely on their family’s financial means. With the new school in Kalanga, 4 classrooms are being created, opening new educational opportunities for 90 young people per grade level. In total, 360 children will be able to learn in the new school.

Malawi is considered one of the most politically stable countries in southern Africa. Nevertheless, many people can barely meet their basic needs, and there are major challenges particularly in the education sector. Many schools are overcrowded, with classes of over 100 children being common. Even though almost all children are now enrolled in school, about half drop out again.

Construction Progress in Kalanga

After the first months of construction, progress at the building site is clearly visible: The three school buildings with classrooms, library and laboratory rooms, as well as the administrative wing for teachers, are taking shape. Work is also underway on the six teacher houses. They will each have their own toilets and showers to improve conditions for local teaching staff.

As with our previous projects, we are relying on local materials and sustainable construction methods here as well. A large portion of the masonry blocks are pressed directly on-site from clay soil and a small amount of cement. (see also: SSB report)

This allows us to reduce cement consumption while simultaneously protecting the environment, since the firing of clay bricks is prohibited in Malawi for forest protection reasons.

Motivation at the Construction Site

Construction work is proceeding smoothly thanks to the dedicated team and active support from the community. They help by providing natural resources such as water, sand and clay. Every day, village residents work together with our team at the construction site.

Gundem Chiconi, one of our masons, also tells us in an interview: “I come to the construction site motivated every day. I have three children, my oldest is 11 years old. In two years he could attend the new secondary school. He is very diligent and wants to become a teacher someday.”

Great Interest and Realistic Perspectives

In recent months, representatives from the Ministry of Education have visited the construction site several times and reviewed the progress. They have repeatedly emphasized how important the new school is for the region. The desire to open the school as early as September, in order to enable as many students as possible to pursue their educational path in secondary school, has been expressed multiple times.

Despite all efforts, however, we must remain realistic: The work will likely take at least another year to complete. An opening can therefore only take place next year.

Further projects in Malawi