Ministry of Gender and Social Welfare spokesperson, Pauline Kaude said on Wednesday, "we expect the rehired contractors to be back on site first week of April and the other contractors perhaps by June 2023."

Kaude disclosed: "Government is also procuring four new contractors to complete the centres in Rumphi, Ntcheu, Chikwawa and Dowa."

Meanwhile, Senior Chief Chimaliro of Thyolo has urged the government to make no further delays in completing the district's 15 centres to accord children a conducive learning environment.

"Now the government needs to be swift in completing the centres to accord children a conducive learning environment. Just imagine, though schools have reopened, but at my centre children are not learning because it is dilapidated," he said.

Initially, the contractors were given contracts to construct CBCCs within one year and none managed to finish within the given contractual period and they were extended to another six months to two contractors who managed to handover; thus in Mchinji and Mangochi.

Commenced around 2019, the centres stalled due to some contractual issues and so far, about 45 CBCCs have been handed over, out of 150 under one component of a U$60 million Investing in Early Years Project (IEYP) in Chiradzulu,  Neno, Mangochi and Mchinji districts.

The five year project is aimed at improving coverage and utilization of early childhood development services with focus on nutrition, stimulation and early learning from conception to five year children in Malawi.