By Suleman Chitera
The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology has warned that long distances to school are fuelling high dropout rates among secondary school learners, calling for urgent mobility solutions.
Education Minister Bright Msaka made the remarks in Lilongwe on Tuesday during the handover of 200 Buffalo bicycles worth over K90 million, donated by World Bicycle Relief.
Msaka said many learners walk 10–15 kilometres daily to the nearest secondary school, leading to absenteeism and poor performance. He noted that while building more Community Day Secondary Schools remains a long-term solution, financial constraints mean immediate interventions are needed.
World Bicycle Relief Country Director Anthony Kinnaird said the organisation has distributed over 24,000 bicycles since 2017, with 70 percent benefiting girls.
Beneficiary Mayamiko Khoswe from Njewa CDSS said the bicycle has enabled her to attend morning classes consistently after previously struggling due to long walking distances.
