Lecturer challenges Mangochi chiefs on girls’ education
The deteriorating education standards among girls in Mangochi District could be reversed if traditional leaders abolish cultural practices that prevent girls from excelling in education.
University of Malawi’s College of Medicine (CoM) head of pathology Rajab Sawasawa Mkakosya said this on Saturday at Mama Khadija Girls Private Academy in the district when Parents and Teachers Association (PTA) awarded students who performed well in the 2017 Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE) examinations.
He said Mangochi remains one of the districts which sends few students to universities as many girls leave school and opt for marriage.
“The status quo can be changed if our leaders come together to condemn all the harmful cultural practices that teach girls bad practices to think of marriage after the initiation ceremonies,” said Mkakosya.
He said where girls have been exposed to bad practices, they think of proving it and in the long run fall victim to such practices.
In his remarks, Mama Khadija Girls’ Private Academy head teacher Adil Livanga said in collaboration with the PTA, the school will continue awarding students to motivate them because they want their students to achieve excellence. n
