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Nation Publications Limited leading female journalist Pilirani Semu-Banda has won the second prize of Africa Education Journalism Award organised by Unesco’s Association for the Development of Education in Africa (Adea) based in Paris, France.
Semu-Banda won the award for her education feature entitled ‘Education Standards in Malawi Continue to Plummet’ published in The Nation early this year.
As part of the prize for the prestigious award, Semu-Banda is currently on a study tour in Paris and London before a prize presentation ceremony which will take place on a cruise boat on River Seine in the French capital.
Announcing the results last week, Adea communication consultant Pascal Hoba said the award was initiated to encourage African journalists to report on education in Africa.
“Because journalists can influence change, we at Adea feel they should specialise in reporting on education and that is why we introduced the award,” said Hoba.
He said 419 articles in both French and English, including four from Malawi, were submitted.
Out of these, 30 were selected by a group of prominent journalists and education specialists for final scrutiny which saw Semu-Banda’s article getting the second slot.
Speaking in an interview in Paris yesterday, Semu-Banda said it feels great to have been recognised and rewarded by such a big organisation as Unesco, adding that it shows Malawi journalism is making some headway.
The first prize in the English category went to Cornia Pretorius of South Africa for her article ‘The Writing’s on the Board’ featured in Johannesburg-based the Sunday Times.
In the French category, the first prize went to Daouda Mane and Mamadou Lamine Badji from Senegal for their article Fuite des cerveaux et remèdes du mal (Brain drain and remedies) published in Le Soleil, based in Dakar.
The second prize went to Sabrina Quirin from Mauritius for her article, Le centre Ste Famille, une alternative à la rue (The Ste Famille Center, an alternative to the streets) published in Weekend, based in Port-Louis.
The first prizewinner in each language category will receive a cash award of 2,000 euros (approximately K250,000), while second place winners will receive 1,000 euros (approximately K125,000) during a gala night on Thursday expected to attract Ministers of Education, diplomats and other international dignitaries from around the world.
The prize winners are accompanied on the tour by their editors in chief or their representatives.
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