By Wanja Gama Jnr
Lack of role models, cultural practices, and unemployment have been singled out as the major factors contributing to the high dropout rate among students in the country’s secondary and primary schools.
The sentiments have been made when Focus on Developing Mother Africa(FODEMA)awarded outstanding learners in primary and secondary schools with learning materials and sugar to motivate them to work hard in class.
In an interview, Executive Director for FODEMA Mark Kampira said the survey they conducted in the country showed that most children see no value in education.
“Most of the girls opt for marriages instead of continuing with education because they don’t see people doing well with education in their localities hence lack of role model and motivational speeches”, he explained.
Headteacher for Mtengo wa Minga Primary School, Kingsley Chimwala applauded the organisation for motivating the learners to go on with their education to achieve their goals .
“This is a good gesture for the learners since they really lack motivational lessons. I would like to ask other to do the same so that other learners would be rescued”, he explained.
So far the organisation has awarded 168 outstanding learners from Thuchila, Mombo, and Namipingo Primary Schools in Chiradzulu as well as Chigombe, Malowa, Dziwe, and Mtengo Mbalame Primary Schools in Blantyre. The organisation also awarded learners from Nachiwale Community Day Secondary School in Mulanje.
FODEMA was formed in 2019 by students from the University of Malawi, the Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences, Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, and Mzuzu University.
