Oxfam in Malawi and Concerned Youth Organisation have launched a K3.3 billion inclusive education project aimed at supporting marginalised girls and children with disabilities in Machinga and Balaka districts access education.
Speaking on Monday during the launch of the project at Liwonde Secondary School in Machinga, Oxfam in Malawi country director Lingalireni Mihowa said the initiative will provide bursary packages and support access to technical and vocational education and training to facilitate young people’s transition into productive livelihoods.
| haneeph maulana
She said: “The project will also enhance science, technology, engineering and mathematics [Stem] education.
“Due to certain stereotypes, we do not have many female learners pursuing Stem subjects.”
Mihowa identified social norms as one of the major barriers to girls’ education in the district and called on parents and local leaders to collaborate in promoting and encouraging girls to remain in school.
Machinga district chief education officer Douglas Namikungulu said the district faces numerous challenges in education, including limited resources, high poverty levels and entrenched cultural beliefs.
He said: “Our transition rate from primary to secondary school remains below 40 percent while the national average is higher. Although our dropout rate is below the minimum threshold, the pupil-to-classroom ratio stands at one to 134.
“Our pass rate in the Malawi School Certificate of Education remains low and for several years.”
