Schools in Karonga North register increased enrolment

Karonga North has, in two years, registered an increase in the number of school-going children courtesy of Livingstonia Synod Aids Programme (Lisap) under Girls and Boys Empowerment Project (GBEP).

The project is being implemented in four education zones of Iponga, Nkhando, Mwenitete and Ighembe.

Briefing Karonga District Executive Committee (DEC), GBEP project officer Chawanangwa Mzembe said the project has strengthened the education system in the area.

“Enrolment in the four zones has increased by 87 percent, attendance rate by 93 percent and pass rate has since increased by 24 percent,” he said.

Mzembe attributed the achievement to the GBEP’s provision of school materials such as notebooks, uniforms and payment of fees for secondary school students.

Vibrant mother and father groups in the area have also played a role in encouraging children to remain in school and to return to school after giving birth.

The project officer also cited formulation of by-laws in the area as a factor that has contributed significantly in retaining children in school.

“Through the by-laws, parents who let their children to drop out of school or delay to enrol them are taken to task by the chief,” he said.

Among other things, the project also works to scale up long-term response to HIV and Aids, and reduce household poverty. n