Project addresses school dropout rate

Unicef has commended the Joint Programme on Girls Education Project implemented by Development Communications Trust for addressing school dropout rate in Kasungu District.

Speaking on Thursday at Kaphaizi Primary School in Traditional Authority Kaphaizi in the district during a monitoring visit, Unicef Eastern and Southern Africa region adviser Sid Shrestha thanked community structures for supporting the project.

“It is good to see children coming to school. I ask all to encourage children in the villages to get back to school,” he said.

T/A Kaphaizi thanked the project for helping reduce absenteeism in schools.

He said he engaged his subjects on the importance of education and encouraged learners to stay in school.

“We will continue to support the initiative after the project phases out because it is benefitting our children,” said Kaphaizi.

Community member Agnes Chintengo said now children are motivated to go to school.

“Children used to drop out due to early marriages, teen pregnancies and child labour. However, as parents, we have understood the importance of education and are discouraging child marriages,” she said.

Development Communications Trust executive director Prince Mtelera said the success stories will motivate them to continue implementing interventions to reduce dropout rate.

“We empower learners to demand social accountability from authorities to improve education,” he said.

Development Communications Trust is implementing Enhancing the Capacity of Learners to Demand Social Accountability Programme under Joint Programme on Girls Education Project in Dedza, Mangochi, Salima and Kasungu districts with technical support from Unicef and financial support from the Norwegian Embassy.

The 2022 Ministry of Education report says Kasungu registered 4 922 dropout cases. The report attributes the dropout rate to factors such as lack of support and interest, walking long distances to school, early marriages and family responsibilities.