First Lady Madame Monica Chakwera has officially opened the newly constructed Jalira Girls National Secondary School in Rumphi, calling for continued efforts to promote quality education for girls in Malawi.
Speaking at the ceremony, Madame Chakwera highlighted the school’s potential to empower young girls to make meaningful contributions to Malawi’s development.
She commended the school’s founder, Sister Ruth Baek, for her selfless commitment to uplifting others through education.
“You could have chosen to enjoy your money in retirement, but you have chosen to continue serving others by constructing this magnificent school. This institution will be a stepping stone for so many girls in the years to come who will go on to develop this country,” she said.
© 📷 Chakwera: The School will empower young girls. Picture curtsey of Ministry of EducationMinister of Education Madalitso Kambauwa Wirima expressed her interest for the school’s impact on Malawi’s education sector, emphasizing its role in advancing equitable access to quality education.
“When we speak of an equally accessible, equitable education, this is what we are talking about. Giving education of high quality from infrastructure and even everything that happens in that school, even in the rural setups, this is what we want. The only challenge is that maybe it might take us a little while to get there because of the resources,” Wirima said.
She noted that the addition of Jalira Girls National Secondary School brings the total number of all-girls government secondary schools to eight, a critical step toward narrowing the gender gap in education.
© 📷 Wirima:The school will advance equitable access to quality education. Picture curtsey of Ministry of EducationParamount Chief Chikulamayembe and Rumphi West Member of Parliament Yona Adadawiza Mkandawire praised the establishment of the school, underscoring its transformative impact on the district.
They expressed gratitude to the First Lady for her role in facilitating the project and collaborating with Sister Ruth Baek, stating that the school would significantly enhance girls’ access to quality education in the area and boost regional development.
Grace Mwandira, the school’s head girl, voiced her appreciation, saying the institution provides an invaluable opportunity for girls to achieve their dreams with access to state-of-the-art laboratories and other educational resources.
© 📷 Jalira Girls National Secondary School students captured during the opening ceremony. Picture curtsey of Ministry of Education“This school will help us succeed in our lives and be productive citizens of the country. The school has well-qualified teachers, and the infrastructure, such as the science and computer labs, provides us with a good learning environment,” she said, commending Madame Chakwera and Sister Ruth Baek for their initiative in creating a school that helps girls realize their career aspirations.
The school, which opened in 2022, was built through funding from SEEDS Missionaries from Korea and the United States, led by Sister Ruth Baek. It now accommodates around 104 students, including 70 new students admitted for the 2024/25 school year.
