Minister of Education Madalitso Kambawuwa Wirima has expressed concern over low access to secondary education, citing significant disparities between primary and secondary enrolment figures.
Speaking on Tuesday during the handover and opening of Chiyola Community Day Secondary School (CDSS) in Rumphi District, the minister described the situation as “very sad”.
She said: “While there are 5.3 million learners enrolled in primary education, only 485 650 are in secondary schools. This puts the net enrolment rate at just 17.1 percent, meaning that 82.9 percent of secondary school-aged children are not in school.”
The minister praised Press Trust for constructing Chiyola CDSS, saying it supports the government’s efforts to increase secondary education access, especially in remote areas.
She said the school has reduced the 16-kilometre journey students had to make to Mwazisi or Katowo CDSSs, which exceeds the recommended distance for accessing secondary education.
First Lady Monica Chakwera, who presided over the ceremony, urged development partners to help build hostels in CDSSs to support girls’ education.
Press Trust trustee Symon Msefula said they are pleased to partner with the government in supporting Chiyola CDSS as part of their mission to drive social economic development.
Chiyola CDSS has 48 Form One students enrolled.
