Malawi: Directorate of Education and Sports at Phalombe District Council Steve Banda is worried about the increasing number of students downgrading education. Students across the district are withdrawing from national secondary schools to get places at community day secondary schools (CDSSs).
This is happening most due to financial challenges that limit their stay in boarding schools across the district. The number of schools is adequate for the students however the number of students remains worrisome.
Banda made these remarks over the weekend at Phalombe Teachers Training College. He was speaking during the Primary School Leaving Certificate of Education (PSLCE) examination. The school was organising best teacher’s and student’s awards for encouraging better performance.
He said that the withdrawal was worrisome and demotivating to students who see their colleagues failing to stay in national secondary schools. This is despite the fact that the students are getting good grades to get selected.
The Director of Education and Sports said that students withdraw from Phalombe Secondary School due to financial limitations. However the office under his command does not have the exact number of students who have left the schools.
This is because some children do not deem it necessary to inform the directorate of education office.
Banda has asked the people to consider supporting boy child. He had has noted that the organizations provide support to girls and not boys.
He recalled that one boy was selected to attend the Mzuzu Government Secondary School but he has not yet reported for classes yet. This is the second term that the boy had to start at the school.
“My office has been looking for sponsorship, but to no avail,” the Director of Education and Sports added.
Paramount Chief Kaduya however thanked some business groups and individuals that support needy students to continue with education in national secondary schools and asked other organisations, business groups and individuals to emulate those that support needy students to remain in national secondary schools.
“Phalombe district has a good record in sending learners to national secondary schools. Another factor for the withdrawal of students can be due to school fees and huge transport fares.
“This can be reason enough to discourage learners from working hard, knowing that they will withdraw at one point due to lack of support,” she added.
At the award presentation, Dzenje Primary School was rated the number 1 school in the Primary School Leaving Certificate of Education (PSLCE) examination for sending 15 learners to national secondary schools while 19 went to Phalombe Secondary School.