Suleman Chitera 
By Suleman Chitera
MANGOCHI, MALAWI — For Duwama Muhammad, completing primary school was more than an academic achievement. It was a journey of determination, resilience and hope in an environment where many girls around her were unable to remain in school.
Duwama, the only girl to sit the Standard 8 national examinations at Mangale Primary School in Mangochi, has now begun a new chapter of her education after securing a full secondary school scholarship at Maranatha Academy in Blantyre.
The scholarship covers her tuition fees, boarding accommodation and learning materials, providing Duwama with the support she needs to continue her education from Form One through Form Four.
Her achievement is particularly significant because she was the sole female among 27 boys in her class.
According to school records, several girls who had started school alongside Duwama eventually dropped out, with early marriages and teenage pregnancies among the challenges affecting their continued education.
The records further indicate that between 2017 and 2021, no girl at Mangale Primary School reached Standard 8, highlighting the difficulties some girls in the area face in progressing through the education system.
A scholarship born from determination
Duwama’s story eventually reached the leadership of Maranatha Academy, where her determination attracted the attention of the school’s director, Dr Ernest Kaonga.
Kaonga said the institution was inspired by Duwama’s persistence and decision to remain in school despite the challenges surrounding her.
“When we heard about Duwama, we were deeply moved. She stood firm where others gave up. We have granted her a full scholarship from Form One to Form Four because we want to nurture that resilience and help her become a leader who inspires other girls in Mangochi,” Kaonga said.
The decision gives Duwama an opportunity not only to continue her own education but also to demonstrate to other girls that completing school remains possible despite difficult circumstances.
‘I want to become a teacher’
For Duwama, the scholarship represents an opportunity she does not take for granted.
The visibly delighted student expressed gratitude to Maranatha Academy and pledged to work hard in her studies.
“I am very happy to be at Maranatha. I thank Dr Kaonga for this opportunity. I will work hard to become a teacher and help other girls stay in school,” she said.
Her ambition to become a teacher is particularly significant given the circumstances that shaped her primary-school journey.
By choosing education and aspiring to return to the classroom as a teacher, Duwama hopes to become a source of encouragement for girls who may face similar challenges.
A wider lesson for girls’ education
Duwama’s experience also draws attention to the continuing importance of keeping girls in school.
When girls leave school because of early marriage or teenage pregnancy, they can lose opportunities to complete their education and develop the skills needed for future employment and leadership.
Her story therefore goes beyond one student’s scholarship. It illustrates what can happen when determination is combined with an opportunity to continue learning.
The support from Maranatha Academy has ensured that Duwama’s educational journey does not end at primary school. Instead, she has moved into secondary education with a clear goal and the backing needed to pursue it.
For the girls who remain at Mangale Primary and others across Mangochi, Duwama’s journey offers a powerful message: staying in school can open doors to opportunities that may otherwise remain out of reach.
As she begins her secondary education in Blantyre, Duwama carries with her not only a scholarship, but also the hopes of becoming an example to other girls who are still fighting to remain in school.
Her journey is a reminder that sometimes, one girl’s determination can become a source of hope for an entire community.
