The Member of Parliament for Namwala Constituency, Hon. Moono Herbert Mapani, on 27 April 2026 commissioned and handed over a 1×3 classroom block at Chilala Riverside Community School in Maala Ward. The facility was constructed under the 2024 Constituency Development Fund (CDF) at a total cost of K1,096,645.45.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by the representative of HRH Chief Mugailia, Council Chairperson Mr. Abel Moonga, District Commissioner Mr. Ephraim W. Shandavu, traditional leaders, heads of government departments, teachers, learners, and members of the community.
In his keynote address, Hon. Mapani described the classroom block as a clear demonstration of government’s commitment to delivering development and investing in the future of children. He noted that the facility would provide a conducive learning environment for learners, improve working conditions for teachers, and enhance service delivery in the community.
The MP further stated that the development being recorded in Namwala Constituency across sectors such as education, health, water, and roads was a result of good government policies. Hon. Mapani added that between 2021 and 2026, the constituency had benefited from expanded CDF investments, including the construction and rehabilitation of more than 60 classrooms, health facilities, boreholes, waterborne sanitation facilities, and the electrification of schools. He also noted that over K22 million had been invested in the education sector alone between 2022 and 2026.
Chilala Riverside Community School was established in 1993 by Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) missionaries from Kafue. Initially, the school operated without formal registration under the Zambia Community Schools Organisation (ZOCS) and relied on volunteer teachers, a situation that affected learner retention. In 2003, the school began working with Maala Primary and Secondary School, which facilitated its formal registration under ZOCS and enabled it to operate as a recognised institution.
For many years, the school offered classes from Early Childhood Education (ECE) up to Grade 4. Learners progressing to Grade 5 had to attend Maala Primary School, located approximately 12 kilometres away. This arrangement posed significant challenges, as learners had to stay in rented accommodation, raising safety concerns, particularly for the girl child.
In 2022, two trained government teachers were deployed to the school. The following year, the school applied through the Ward Development Committee (WDC) for the construction of a classroom block under the CDF, and the application was approved in 2024.
The completion and commissioning of the classroom block in 2026 marked a significant milestone, providing a safe and conducive learning environment. The school was subsequently upgraded to include Grade 5 and currently had an enrolment of approximately 203 learners, with plans to expand to Grade 7 to improve access to education within the community.
