Mother groups vow to support girls
Mother groups from Dowa and Lilongwe districts have vowed to support girls with basic necessities and advice to remain in school.
Thy made the vow on Saturday when mother groups from Chimbuli Zone in Dowa visited their counterparts in Lilongwe under the Malawi Education Sector Improvement Project (Mesip).
In an interview, Chimbuli Zone primary education adviser Florence Chilasa said they wanted to share ideas with their counterparts on how they can support girls’ education in the two districts.
“We conduct such exchange visits in Dowa, but this time we came to Likuni Zone in Lilongwe because we learned that they have come up with innovations to support the girl child,” she said.
Her counterpart Chipo Chithonje Maere said mother groups play an important role in helping vulnerable children remain in school.
She said: “As such, mother groups should continue to expand their knowledge on how they can help the children.
“It is important to share ideas because, as Likuni alone, we cannot know everything, but if we learn from what they do in Dowa, we can improve.”
Speaking on behalf of Chimbuli Zone mother groups, Apina Majomeka said they acquired new skills that will enable them to do their work effectively.
During the meeting, members exchanged ideas on income generating activities and how best to approach parents whose children have dropped out of school, among others.
Under Mesip, mother groups act as custodians of underprivileged pupils. They ensure that learners have school uniforms, sanitary materials and they counsel them when they drop out of school due to pregnancies or marriages.
