THE Community of Mutondwe Island in Mpulungu District have appealed for the upgrading of the only Community School to a Primary School in the area.

Village Secretary Chileshe Nkonde says upgrading of the community school will provide the needed education services in the area especially the girl-child..

Speaking to ZANIS today, Mr Nkonde bemoaned the high levels of illiteracy in the area due to the long distance that children cover on water to get to the nearest school.

“The school runs only up to grade four and many pupils, especially girls, fail to continue with school because they have to cross the lake to get to a primary school,” he said.

And Davis Kaongwa, a concerned parent,  disclosed that the most affected are girl children who end up getting married as early as at grade four.

Mr. Kaongwa observed that if the school can be upgraded, it will help to bring in more infrastructure to the school.

He said at the moment the school has two rooms that are being used, but the community will soon construct other rooms to accommodate the ever-growing number of children in the area.

Mr. Kaongwa said the community is ready to work and support the school in order to improve the learning of the children.