Chief Secretary to Government Lloyd Muhara has said the United Nations (UN) Agencies Joint Programme on Girls Education (JPGE) is fundamental to the welfare of girls and boys in the country.
He was speaking last week during an official visit to Demera Primary School in Salima. The school is a JPGE beneficiary.
According to Muhara, the decrease in the dropout rate to two percent in the targeted schools indicates that Malawi is making progress in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)on gender and education.
Speaking on behalf of UN Agencies, World Food Programme country representative Coco Ushiyama said the programme, which started in 81 primary schools in Salima, Mangochi and Dedza has been successful.
She said the programme has also reduced violence in schools and improved teacher attitudes and skills, among other things.
On her part, Norwegian education counsellor Vigdis Cristofoli said they are ready to fund the second part of the programme. n
