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[QUOTE="Nehanda, post: 24266, member: 2262"]
Early Childhood Centers in Zomba Face Crisis Amid Funding Shortages.

Officials report that early childhood programs in Malawi's Zomba district have failed due to severe funding gaps and poor facilities.

The Parliamentary Committee on Social and Community Affairs found serious problems during visits to Tigwirizane and Namiwawa childcare centers. Committee chair Savel Kafwafwa said the centers lack basic resources to operate.

"Zomba receives K500,000 monthly to run these centers, but this must support 4,000 caregivers across 943 facilities," Kafwafwa said. He called for increased national funding to address the crisis.

Zomba District Commissioner Reignhard Chavula acknowledged these challenges need urgent attention. "We can handle some issues at the council level, but we need lawmakers to secure more funding," she said.

The district's Early Childhood Coordinator, Jane Majawa, pointed to additional problems. Many caregivers leave their posts for paid work instead of staying as volunteers. The centers also lack proper buildings and play equipment.

"One care center operates from a church without proper sanitation or food programs," Majawa said.

These issues affect children across Malawi, not just in Zomba. The district council plans to open more childcare centers to prepare young learners for primary school, but this expansion requires substantial funding increases.

The committee urged immediate action to improve early childhood education through better national budget allocation and infrastructure development.
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