Accompanied by her children, two of whom were adopted from the African nation, Madonna visited Mkoko Primary School in Kasungu in central Malawi on Tuesday (April 2).

The Material Girl smiled and sat with the students at the school that her Raising Malawi charity helped build with the U.S. organization BuildOn.

However, the pop star's presence doesn't come without controversy. One of her biggest critics is Malwi's president and the country's education minister who said last year through a spokesperson that the nation was "fed up" with her lack of consultation with the government about her plans.

In 2011, she was criticized for cancelling plans for multi-million dollar academy for girls after allegations of financial mismanagement. Instead, the 54-year-old songstress said she would build 10 primary schools for orphans and vulnerable children.

However, Malawian education minister Eunice Kazembe downplays the progress, saying, "It is classrooms that she has donated. They have built 10 classroom blocks. When you look at the totality of it, it is helpful, every bit helps, but it is a long shot to call it significant."