Young girls from Mchinji District have urged the youth to stay in school and pursue their dreams.
The girls, who are acting as mentors, have taken it upon themselves to encourage their peers to prioritise education and avoid early marriages among others.
Deputy Minister of Education, Nancy Chaola Mdooko, on Monday visited Benjamin and Mbachundu Primary Schools to witness first-hand the impact of these mentors, who are part of the Malawi Education Reform Programme (MERP).
“It is our wish to increase the number of these mentors so that this excellent work should continue,” said Mdooko.
Mchinji’s Director of Education, Youth and Sports Joyce Hamsini, said the learner mentors have brought positive changes in the district since out of 221 primary schools, 110 have these mentors.
“Several factors force parents not to send their children to school like poverty and mere lack of interest, but with these mentors, they can be influenced to send the children to school,” said Hamsini.
A mentor for Mbachundu Primary School, Emma Kapinga, shared her experiences and revealed the impact she has had on the lives of the girls she mentors.
“Being a mentor, I have seen girls who were on the verge of dropping out or getting married early are now focused on their studies. Over 75 learners are now back to school here at Mbachundu Primary School,” said Kapinga.
Kapinga owed the success to the collaboration with all the stakeholders like teachers, mother groups, and the school management committee.
By Vincent Khonje, MANA
