NGO in back to school campaign

Ukhondo Services Foundation plans to engage religious and traditional leaders in Likoma to send girls back to school.

The exercise follows the organisation’s research that indicates that about 90 primary school learners dropped out since 2020.

In an interview, Ukhondo Services Foundation project coordinator Victoria Mfune said from the figure, 52 were girls.

“Most girls drop out due to early marriages. However, we will conduct awareness campaigns against child marriages and bring the girls back to school,” she said.

In a separate interview, Nkhata Bay district education manager Benford Mwakayuni said they are implementing initiatives to ensure that girls who dropped out are readmitted.

He said: “We have attendance registers in all schools. Teachers follow up when a learner has not turned up for classes.

“We are also working with police, chiefs and Ukhondo Services Foundation to send the girls back to school.”

The organisation is implementing a Girl Learner Back to School Project in the district.