There was excitement at Mchengawedi Primary School as Member of Parliament for Zomba Malosa, Hon. Grace Kwelepeta, rewarded 49 Standard 8 learners who have been selected to various boarding secondary schools.
The colourful event also recognised teachers who helped the learners perform well in their respective subjects and schools, with the educators receiving gifts and financial incentives in appreciation of their contribution to academic success.
Group Village Headman Minama commended Kwelepeta for her leadership, particularly her focus on empowering communities through development interventions and encouraging children to remain in school.
Honourable Grace Kwelepeta M.P
He said the constituency has witnessed improvements in learners’ academic performance since Kwelepeta became its Member of Parliament in 2019, attributing part of the progress to her initiatives aimed at motivating both learners and teachers.
“Her support and encouragement have motivated our children and teachers to work harder,” Minama said.
The impact of the initiative was also highlighted by parents.
Wellington Anusa, father of Judith Anusa, who has been selected to Kujalira Secondary School in Rumphi, expressed gratitude to Kwelepeta for providing the learners with suitcases.
Anusa said the support was particularly meaningful because he could not afford to buy his daughter a suitcase for her secondary school journey.
Meanwhile, Lisi Sinyangwe of Domasi Demonstration Primary School, who has been selected to Masongola Secondary School in Zomba, thanked Kwelepeta for consistently encouraging learners across the constituency to work hard in their studies.
Sinyangwe said such encouragement has contributed to an increasing number of learners from the constituency being selected to boarding secondary schools.
Each learner received a suitcase and K10,000 in financial support, while teachers received varying amounts of money in recognition of their efforts.
Kwelepeta also promised the teachers a recreational trip to the lake as an additional gesture of appreciation for their dedication to educating learners.
Speaking during the ceremony, Kwelepeta said her education initiatives are part of her contribution towards achieving the aspirations of Malawi 2063, particularly by investing in the education and development of children.
She said rewarding learners who perform well has become part of her tradition because she believes that recognising academic achievement can inspire more children to work hard.
However, Kwelepeta expressed concern over the number of learners from the constituency who have been selected to boarding secondary schools, saying more needs to be done to improve the figure.
She pledged to strengthen her interventions and introduce additional measures aimed at improving learners’ performance so that more students can secure places in boarding secondary schools in the coming years.
The legislator said increasing the number of educated young people would ultimately contribute to the development of the constituency and the country as a whole.
Kwelepeta further encouraged the learners to remain focused on their studies when they enter secondary school and urged them to avoid immoral behaviour that could derail their education and future aspirations.
She challenged the learners to use the opportunity they have been given responsibly and to work hard so that they can return home as successful professionals who will contribute to the development of Zomba Malosa and Malawi.
The event underscored Kwelepeta’s continued emphasis on education as a key pathway to empowering young people and creating a more educated and productive constituency.
