The government of Flanders has constructed a classroom block worth K117.3 million at Natural Resources College (NRC), a constituent college of the Lilongwe University of Agriculture (Luanar).

The block was officially handed over to the college on Friday.

Deputy General Representative of the government of Flanders, Nikolas Bosscher, said they constructed the classroom block as one way of improving extension services in Malawi.

“The government of Flanders prioritised agricultural extension services in its country Strategy Paper for our development cooperation with Malawi. The Natural Resources College is an important stakeholder within the subsector of extension services as it is the primary supplier of qualified extension workers,” Bosscher said.

He added: “Now that NRC will open the newly constructed classroom block, it may appear tempting to recruit extra students. This will definitely have its short-term advantage, but in the longer term, the country needs highly trained graduates. This quality can only be achieved if every student receives necessary guidance by their teachers. The college should, therefore, aim to have the ideal student-to-teacher ratio,” Bosscher said.

Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development, Erica Maganga, hailed the Flanders government for the support.