Porridge ban scares away pupils

The ban of a feeding programme in primary schools and community-based childcare centres (CBCCs) due to a cholera outbreak in Karonga has led to low attendance.

St Mary’s Girls Primary School head teacher Laurent Mwaghama told Malawi News Agency (Mana) on Tuesday that the attendance of pupils, especially from Standard One to Four, has fallen sharply.

“The school management has conducted several meetings with parents to encourage them to start preparing some food for their children as they come to school, but this is not bearing fruit. The lower classes at the school have high enrollment, with each having three classes. However, the number is dwindling,” he said

Standard Four teacher Thokozire Anna Nkhoma said she used to serve 106 pupils in her class, but she says attendance has dropped to 86 pupils since the school stopped giving pupils porridge.

Absenteeism and the likelihood of missing examinations are high, she said.

Lusubilo project manager Gerald Nyamwera said the cholera prevention measure has equally affected the turnout in CBCCs in all areas where the charity works.

According to Ministry of Health, cholera has affected 764 people and killed 24 in 13 districts. Karonga has recorded 334 cases and seven deaths.

Three weeks ago, Lusubilo embarked on a campaign to sensitise community to keep sending their children to CBCCs in the absence of the school-feeding programme.

Government started school-feeding programme in 1994 and covers 17 percent of 5 118 public schools countrywide.

It is credited with increasing enrollment and reducing absenteeism and dropout rates.