Malawi’s gaming regulator has invested K37 million in land for the relocation of Mpatsa Full Primary School in Nsanje, creating a pathway towards rebuilding safer learning facilities for more than 2,600 pupils affected by Cyclone Freddy.
The Malawi Gaming and Lotteries Authority (MAGLA) has acquired and handed over 6.8 hectares of land for the relocation and reconstruction of Mpatsa Full Primary School in Nsanje District, more than three years after the institution was severely affected by Cyclone Freddy.
MAGLA purchased the land for K37 million as part of efforts to provide the school with a safer location and support the restoration of an appropriate learning environment for thousands of pupils.
Mpatsa Full Primary School was among the institutions badly affected when Cyclone Freddy struck Malawi in 2023. The school’s previous site was submerged by sand, significantly disrupting teaching and learning and forcing pupils and teachers to operate under difficult conditions.
With more than 2,600 learners depending on the institution, the acquisition of the new site represents an important step towards establishing permanent facilities away from areas considered vulnerable to similar environmental hazards.
New Site to Provide Safer Learning Environment
The newly acquired property is located in the area of Traditional Authority Tengani in Nsanje and is situated away from rivers, reducing the potential exposure of the school to flooding.
The 6.8-hectare site is expected to provide enough space for the reconstruction of Mpatsa Full Primary School as well as the establishment of a Teachers Development Centre (TDC).
MAGLA Director General Muchanakhwaye Mpuluka, speaking during the handover, highlighted the impact Cyclone Freddy had on the school and the surrounding community.
The Authority’s intervention is intended to create the foundation for pupils and teachers to eventually return to a more secure and conducive educational environment.
K37 Million Investment Supports Disaster Recovery
MAGLA’s K37 million investment in the land forms part of a broader effort to support community development and recovery following the destruction caused by the cyclone.
While the Authority regulates Malawi’s gaming and lottery industry, the project demonstrates its involvement in social and community-focused initiatives beyond its core regulatory responsibilities.
Mpuluka also used the occasion to encourage children to prioritise their education and stay away from gambling activities.
She stressed that MAGLA’s involvement in supporting the school should not be interpreted as promoting gambling among young people. Instead, the intervention reflects the Authority’s commitment to childhood development and responsible gambling principles.
Plans for Modern School Facilities
The acquisition of the land is the first major step in the relocation process, with additional investment required to construct the new facilities.
Nsanje Central Member of Parliament Francis Kasaila welcomed the development, describing the intervention as an important source of hope for pupils who have endured difficult learning conditions since the cyclone.
Kasaila indicated that the Community Development Fund (CDF) and other development partners are expected to contribute towards the construction of a modern school on the newly acquired site.
The proposed development is expected to provide classrooms and other essential infrastructure that will allow pupils and teachers to operate in a safer and more suitable environment.
Supporting a School With More Than a Century of History
Mpatsa Full Primary School has played a longstanding role in education within the Nsanje community.
Established in 1910, the school has operated for more than a century and currently serves over 2,600 pupils.
Its reconstruction therefore represents more than simply replacing buildings damaged by Cyclone Freddy. For the surrounding communities, restoring the school will help protect access to education for thousands of children while providing infrastructure designed to withstand future environmental challenges.
MAGLA’s acquisition of the new site now creates a foundation for the next phase of the project.
With the land secured, attention is expected to shift towards mobilising resources and partnerships required to construct the new school and Teachers Development Centre.
The initiative highlights how institutional and community partnerships can contribute to long-term recovery following natural disasters, while helping ensure that children affected by such events can return to safe and sustainable learning environments.
