A teacher at Kyantobo Primary School in Solwezi District in Northwestern Province has embarked on a school programme to grow groundnuts as part of a practical learning initiative for learners.
Andrew Mutepuka, working together with his pupils, is cultivating groundnuts and adding value by producing peanut butter.
Mr Mutepuka says teaching should not only be confined to the classroom but should also provide practical solutions to challenges faced by society.
He explained that the project aims to help learners and the surrounding community improve their nutritional status.
Mr Mutepuka added that he hopes to harvest enough groundnuts to expand the project and contribute to the national food basket.
In an interview with the media, Mr Mutepuka urged other Teachers to be innovative and not only wait on government.
He added that once the project has grown, he has intentions of selling not only to people in his catchment but other areas there by contributing to the National food basket.
” I am not always funded for the projects that I embark on, sometimes I use my resources for the sake of my learners'” Mr Mutepuka said.
He disclosed that the school has participated in a number of competitions both locally and internationally from which he has drawn a number of lessons.
He said projects that the school has participated in previously have enabled the pupils to be exposed and performed like other pupils in Urban areas.
” Yes, we are a rural school but it does not mean our children are different from others, all we need is to expose them to the outside world through different activities and they will perform like other pupils, “Mr Mutepuka said.
He added that the project would enable pupils learn a skill which they would use later in life and also learn entrepreneurship.
