The Malawi Girl Guide Association (MGGA) has commended the support which communities are providing in the promotion of girls education in Mangochi District.
MGGA National Coordinator, Khama Ziyabu, made the remarks on Saturday in Mangochi when the organisation held a quiz competition on sexual and reproductive health as well as life skills.
The final was between primary schools from Nkumba and Mdinde education zones.
Nkumba Primary School won the competition and will compete with winners from Salima and Dedza during a national final which will take place on July 16 in Lilongwe.
Ziyabu explained that when the project was being introduced in the district, a lot of community members did not value the importance of monitoring progress of their children in class.
“But now, the situation has changed such that parents and community members are taking a leading role in making sure that children, especially girls are remaining in school,” said Ziyabu.
He continued to explain that in the third term alone, the association has managed to send back to school at least 46 girls who had dropped out of school due to various reasons.
“The quiz has been a success because it gave a reason for pupils to go to school and work hard. He will continue with the initiative because it has shown results on the ground,” said Ziyabu.
Primary Education Adviser (PEA) for Mdinde Zone, Blessed Mahangula, hailed the project, revealing that since its inception, school enrollment has increased.
“We have also managed to reduce dropout rate as well as increasing the pass rate for national examinations such that last year, eight girls were selected to national secondary school,” he said.
Mahangula said the positive impact which has been registered has managed to change the mindset of some members of the community who were not appreciating the importance on education to a girl child.
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