After working at the Academy as the Bursar and Head of Support Services for twenty-four years, my team and I firmly believe that our existence at the Academy is justified by one reason: the customer. In our case, we consider the student as our primary customer, while the parent/guardian is regarded as our secondary customer. My focus on this page is to provide a glimpse of what I do through my team to make life at the Academy an experience to be fondly remembered with the resources available to us.
Our number one objective is to provide an enabling environment for students to optimize their potential for learning. This entails maintaining a sound and safe architectural infrastructure within which learners undertake their daily academic and social activities. Each year, we allocate and spend millions of Kwachas (local currency) to uphold the school's unique infrastructural standards, especially as age begins to take its toll on certain aspects of the school's physical appearance.
We believe in the importance of well-furnished hostels and classrooms for students. Our policy advocates for each student to have, for instance, at least four chairs: one in their room, one in the classroom, one in the auditorium, and one in the dining room. This ensures that students maintain the correct posture for each activity and prolong their concentration. A dedicated team of over 40 staff members works diligently to keep the hostels and classrooms tidy and well-furnished at all times. The students sleep in well-ventilated rooms equipped with window screens to protect them against mosquito bites. We provide the students with beds and mattresses that are regularly repaired or replaced, ensuring comfortable, relaxing, and refreshing nights.
Even after forty-one years of existence, we continue to provide high-standard, nutritionally enriched diets to our students because we believe that excellent education goes hand in hand with a healthy student. Over 25% of the school’s income is therefore efficiently invested in catering services managed by a team of over 50 well-trained chefs, cooks, and waiters who are employed to ensure that our clients, students and staff are well-fed on a daily basis, following a pre-approved menu for each term.
Water is essential for life, and at our institution, we prioritize providing safe and portable water to our students and staff. Our water supply is drawn from a dam with a well-protected catchment area located approximately 13km away. It is then pumped over this distance using a large electric motor-driven pump. When it reaches our school, it undergoes treatment in two water treatment plants that are owned and operated by the school. Our primary goal is to ensure the availability of safe portable and irrigation water at all times. Achieving this is made possible by a dedicated team of technicians who work around the clock, ensuring that the delicate process of treating the raw water drawn from an open source is done correctly. I would like to acknowledge the outstanding services of Mr. O. Mwela, who serves as the head of portable water management, and R. Chimonjo, our lead lab services technician.
The Academy's landscape and gardens are meticulously maintained by a team of over 60 men and women, led by a qualified agriculturalist. Their continuous efforts create a beautiful and refreshing environment, positively impacting the well-being of our students and staff. We allocate a significant portion of our budget to maintain these areas.
To keep our students happy and focused on their education, we also provide basic healthcare services. Within the Academy premises, we have a well-equipped clinic managed by experienced clinicians, including three nurses, a Matron, ward assistants, and two senior clinical officers led by Mr. P. Nkhoma. The clinic operates 24/7 whenever students are on campus.
Importantly, I want all to know that our unique facilities at Kamuzu Academy are not idle during school recess. They are available for private use by organizations and groups in need of out-of-town retreat venues. Some facilities can even be accessed during school time, depending on the scale of the request. In recent years, we have seen an increase in the use of our hospitality services by local and international religious and secular organizations for conferences, seminars, and retreats. All interested parties are welcome to submit an application to the Bursar, and we offer competitive rates with tailor-made services to meet specific requirements and budgets.
I firmly believe that the Academy remains an icon of excellence and a force to be reckoned with in the education sector in Malawi. I am sincerely grateful to all the staff in my department who dedicate countless hours in subtle and, at times, humble ways to uphold the high standards that the Academy is known for. The Deputy Bursar, Mr. James Gunde, the Human Resources Manager, Mr. Alinane H. Mmanga, and all our competent heads of department play pivotal roles in ensuring the cost-effective delivery of the school's support services. Their contributions, along with those of their staff, are invaluable and greatly appreciated.
