Policymakers in Malawi want every child to learn as the country envisions equal representation of men and women in all spheres of life, including politics and public service.
However, girls risk being left behind due to long walks to school that force thousands to drop out before achieving their dreams.
This is common in remote areas where underdeveloped community day secondary schools (CDSSs) were conceived to cut the risky travels that expose girls to sexual assault.
Government and its partners are constructing hostels for girls to learn in a safe environment.
However, limited resources undermine the good intention.
Tafadzwa Longwe is in Form Four at Kapanda CDSS in Nkhata Bay District which lacked desks and mattresses.
The girl, 20, who has spent four years scrambling for the scarce essentials with her classmates, was visibly relieved early this month when World Vision Malawi donated desks, mattresses and other learning materials to her school.
“We had only 70 mattresses for 122 girls in an overcrowded hostel. It was stressful for two girls to share a mattress,” she says.
In class, Tafadzwa shared a desk with two or three classmates, making learning disco-mforting.
The situation worsened in 2021 when the school welcomed a second stream of learners, almost doubling its enrolment to 401.
“With 203 girls and 196 boys scrambling for fewer than 100 desks, teaching and learning was difficult,” says headteacher Daniel Kabiya.
Kapanda CDSS girls’ hostel has saved Tafadzwa and her peers from walking about 15 kilometres to get to school.
Boarders pay K180 000 per term while day scholars shell K35 000. However, tough sleeping conditions adversely affected girls’ academic performance.
World Vision, with support from its counterpart in Germany, delivered 150 desks, 30 mattresses, 500 dictionaries, 15 reading tables, 76 library chairs and Bibles to close the gap. The items are estimated at K40 million.
The faith-based organisation supports access to education, child protection, safe water, sanitation, hygiene projects in Kande, Traditional Authority Fukamapiri in Nkhata Bay.
World Vision programme manager for Mzimba and Nkhata Bay districts, Limbani Gondwe, says the Christian organisation is committed to improving teaching and learning for the benefit of children in the shoreline community along Lake Malawi.
He told the students: “Your success is in your hands.
“Teachers and resources cannot sit exams for you; so focus on your education.”
World Vision also runs a Gift in Kind fundraising initiative, where benefactors directly send educational support to constrained children.
Despite numerous challenges, 12 learners were selected to public universities last year with the star performer scoring 12 points in the Malawi School Certificate of Education examinations.
Teachers and students expect the new supplies to boost learners’ performance.
Northern Education Division principal quality assurance officer Enious Nyasulu calls for greater investment in securing a brighter future for the Malawian child.
He states: “Our division is probably the largest in the country, with nearly 239 secondary schools. Most of these schools face a severe shortage of desks, forcing students to sit on the floor, which is particularly challenging for girls.”
Tafadzwa, who aspires to become a journalist, says: “With the new mattresses and desks, we learn in peace and focus on learning.”
