By Brighton Tchongwe
Minister of Education Madalitso Kambauwa Wirima, has highlighted the importance of the newly launched FAWEMA 2024-2028 Strategic Plan and the beginning of the FAWE/Mastercard Foundation Phase II Programme.
According to Kambauwa these initiatives are crucial for the government in aligning with Malawi’s development agenda, Malawi 2063, and the sustainable development goals.
During the launch event in Lilongwe, Wirima emphasized the ministry’s dedication to improving access to educational opportunities and ensuring inclusivity.
She mentioned that the National Council for Higher Education has created guidelines for bridging courses, which may require adjustments to effectively support the ongoing project.
Wirima stressed the need for constructive discussions and collaboration among key stakeholders, including the NCHE, universities represented by the Public Universities Selection Technical Working Group, ministry officials, and the project team, to expand access to higher education without compromising on quality.
Wirima urged development partners, relevant ministries, agencies, departments, and all stakeholders to rally behind FAWE Malawi’s vision and the FAWEMA Strategy Plan for 2024-2028.
“I am so encouraged to note that the project’s priority area of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) is already responding to some of the Joint Sector Review recommendations. This includes support for girls in STEM at tertiary level in order to increase gender parity index of 0.65 to reach 0.9 by 2030,” said Kambauwa Wirima.
She added: “We cannot build a better Malawi without deliberately investing in building strong-base from our young people including the underprivileged and those with disabilities as well as the refugees among us, as a people, we need to support FAWEMA’s efforts to give hope and future to these young people and dynamic minds.
Additionally, Dr. Maggie Madimbo, the Board Chairperson of FAWEMA highlighted that these transformative initiatives are designed to create more opportunities for marginalized youths, particularly young women and men, to access tertiary education in the country.
Madimbo revealed that the program’s goal is to indirectly impact 134,000 young individuals and directly reach 1,100, providing them with educational and vocational opportunities that can bring about life-changing transformations for both individuals and communities.
She emphasized the program’s significant focus on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), TEVET (technical, entrepreneurship, and vocational education and training), and how it aligns with the Mastercard Foundation’s Young Africa Works strategy.
“With the support of Mastercard Foundation, we are expanding our reach to empower more young women and men across Malawi. We remain committed to working with the government and development partners to provide education pathways that uplift individuals and communities alike,” said Madimbo.
Meanwhile, the Executive Director of Forum for African Women Eductuonalist Africa Dr Martha Muhwezi has highlighted that the plan sets objectives in improving access to quality education, advocating for gender responsive policies, strengthening FAWEMA’s institutions capacity and conducting research to influence policy and advance best practices for educating girls and women.
“FAWE is committed to building a future where education creates lasting change through access to education for young women and men, aligned with the African Union 2063 agenda,” said Muhwezi.
One of the beneficiaries Zione Njovu thanked FAWEMA for providing her support to access quality education from Secondary school to tertiary level hence encouraging other young girls to seek financial support from FAWEMA.
