MALEMIA PRIMARY SCHOOL RECORDS 50 PERCENT SECONDARY SELECTION

Malemia Primary School in Zomba District has recorded a major improvement in secondary school selection, with nine learners selected this year, the highest number in the school’s history.

Out of 18 learners who sat for the Primary School Leaving Certificate of Education examinations, 17 passed, while nine were selected to secondary schools, representing a 50 percent selection rate.

Speaking during a ceremony where Matandani Youth Organisation presented educational gifts to the selected learners, Mchengawedi Zone Primary Education Advisor Rosina Maunjiri Sakwata described the achievement as a significant milestone and encouraged other schools in the zone to work harder.

Sakwata also commended the organisation for motivating the learners as they begin secondary education, but warned that early marriages and school dropouts remain major challenges affecting education in the area.

The school’s headteacher said selection had been poor since the school was established in 1948. He said when he joined the school last year, he found some learners reluctant to attend classes and some parents were also not committed to sending their children to school.
He said the school responded by establishing a forum that went into surrounding villages to identify learners who were staying away from school and encourage them to return.

One of the successful learners, Alaston Njolomole, who has been selected to Domasi Demonstration Secondary School, attributed his success to reading and thanked the headteacher and Matandani Youth Organisation for their support and encouragement.

The gifts were provided through funding from Rhodrick Kalumpha, a UK-based Malawian originally from the area under Traditional Authority Malemia, as part of efforts to encourage the learners to continue working hard in their education.