NGO promotes exam performance in Blantyre

Rays of Hope has urged primary schools in Blantyre District to work hard to improve their performance in Primary School Leaving Certificate of Education examinations.

Speaking on Friday during a meeting with the district’s primary education advisers (PEAs) and head teachers, the organisation’s Teacher Skill Strengthening Project coordinator Ernest Kububa said they want more learners to be selected for Form One to secondary schools.

He said: “That is why we launched a Teacher Skill Strengthening Project to empower teachers on how to deliver lessons to help learners pass examinations with flying colours.

“When we launched the project in 2019, the district was on position 34, but in 2022 it has moved up to position 28.”

Kububa said they monitor schools to ensure that teachers are implementing various teaching strategies they acquire during refresher courses.

Lunzu Zone PEA Loveness Pendame commended the project, saying it reminds teachers methods and strategies they learnt in colleges.

“Teachers undergo refresher courses which help them to follow basic principles of teaching such as preparing lesson plans and schemes of work,” she said.

 Blantyre district director of education, youth and sports Paul Chiphanda said they are committed to improving the Standard Eight examination pass rate in the district.

“Blantyre district only has Lunzu Secondary School with boarding facilities. I, therefore, urge schools to work hard to ensure more pupils are selected to national secondary schools,” he said.

However, Chiphanda asked teachers to introduce remedial classes to make up for the two weeks learners stayed home due to delayed opening of schools in Blantyre and Lilongwe following the surge in cholera cases.

Rays of Hope is implementing the project in Blantyre, Thyolo, Zomba, Mchinji and Ntchisi districts.