The school which was established with financial assistance from FDH Bank Plc through MUBAS/ FDH Bank Graduate Start Up Programme was one of the best performing schools in Mulanje district during the examinations with 100 percent pass and a selection rate of 85 percent. 

Situated within a kilometre from Mulanje Boma, next to Hapuwani Village Lodge, the school has managed to send 21 students to national secondary schools across the country, with many others securing places at district and community day secondary schools.

Chipiliro Mvula who founded the school with her seven colleagues, all former students of MUBAS, said when they set out to establish the school in 2023, they did not anticipate to achieve success in such a short period.

‘’ When we pitched up the idea to open a school, we weren’t very sure if we would succeed but with support from FDH Bank and MUBAS, we have seen the school growing and achieving academic success,’’ said Mvula.

Commenting on the School’s success, Kuchande said the vibrant success of Rise and Shine Private Primary School highlights the power of collaboration between the academia and the industry amid the growing calls for Malawi to embrace a stronger culture of entrepreneurship. 

‘’ The FDH Graduate Startup programme promises to deliver alternative career paths to students graduating from MUBAS by providing funding assistance and career guidance on how to effectively navigate the private sector,’’ he said. 

Kuchande added that since its establishment three years ago, Rise and Shine Private School has established itself as a centre of academic excellence for primary school-going children in Mulanje as evidenced by continuous increase in enrolment, which is beneficial for long term sustainability.

Apart from the academic success, the school has also opened doors for employment for other Malawians. Currently the school has 12 teachers and seven support staff. 

One of the workers at the school, Susan Bokosi said finding employment at the school has been a life changing moment for her as she is now able to pay school fees for daughter at a nearby secondary school.

‘’ Through the salary I get here, my daughter who dropped out of school in form two has now gone back to finish her secondary school education so am very grateful for the coming of Rise and Shine Private School,’’ said Bokosi.

The FDH graduate Start Up Programme was established with the aim of providing entrepreneurial   mentorship to final year students at MUBAS. Students with outstanding business concepts are offered financial assistance to set up businesses. 

The third cohort of beneficiaries under the programme will be announced soon.