The Malawi Government says it remains committed to ensuring that all children, especially girls, are in school and will soon take action against child marriages, which are still prevalent in some parts of the country.
Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare, Mary Navicha, made these remarks when she commissioned a girls’ academy, courtesy of a Turkish organisation, Dreams of Children Family (DCF), which is offering free primary education in Zomba Malosa Constituency.
The academy is a much-needed intervention, as many learners in the area are withdrawing from school, with Parliamentarian for the area, Grace Kwelepeta, calling for concerted efforts to retain girls in school.
“Latest statistics indicate that 195 learners have dropped out of school while others have slipped into child marriages, which is worrisome,” Kwelepeta bemoaned, highlighting the gravity of the situation.
Traditional Authority Malemia assured stakeholders that he will get to the bottom of the issue to curb the vice, pledging his support for efforts to keep girls in school.
The facility, which is located at Songani in Zomba District, will benefit at least 40 girls in its pilot phase, offering them a chance to pursue their education without interruption.
DCF offers formal and informal education to vulnerable communities in the district, and its intervention is expected to have a positive impact on the lives of many girls in the area.
The commissioning of the academy is a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done to address the issue of child marriages and keep girls in school.
