Bishop Alfred Mateyu Chaima of the Catholic Diocese of Zomba has handed over a borehole to Sacred Heart Boys Primary School, emphasizing that water, sanitation, and hygiene are essential for quality education.
He stated that the borehole was drilled in response to long-standing water and sanitation challenges at the school, which had negatively impacted learning conditions. The Bishop expressed hope that access to clean water would enhance the school’s hygiene standards and, in turn, improve education.
“The Church values education, which is why we provide essential resources such as water in schools,” Bishop Chaima said, urging learners to work hard now that they have improved facilities.
Sacred Heart Primary School headteacher, Norah Nkaombe, praised the initiative, noting that the borehole would benefit both learners and staff by improving sanitation and hygiene.
“This will help keep learners clean, as classroom floors can now be mopped regularly, especially since some students sit on the floor,” she said. She also highlighted that the borehole water would be used for meal preparation as part of the school feeding program.
One of the learners, Chipo Phuziwa, welcomed the development, saying that access to clean water would allow students to practice proper hygiene, such as washing hands after using the toilet and before eating.
The borehole was drilled with financial support from Pope Francis through the Society of the Holy Childhood.
Established in 1938 and opened in 1939, Sacred Heart Primary School (formerly Zomba Boys) currently has 803 learners and 27 teachers.
