60% of Students Absent From Malawi Schools Amid High Costs
About 146 students have benefited from the YESE initiative in primary, secondary, and tertiary education.
LILONGWE, Malawi — A staggering 60% of learners in Malawi's primary and secondary schools are absent from classes each term due to the rising cost of living and prevalence of hunger, pushing numerous girls into early marriages as a coping mechanism, authorities say, writes Brian Kanyenda.
Enala Chipeta, the Education Senior Inspector for Lilongwe Rural West, Central West Education Division, revealed the alarming absenteeism rate while speaking on behalf of the Lilongwe District Chief Education Officer during an event where an international non-governmental organization, Sunhawk Energy International (SEI), donated learning materials and covered school fees for needy students.
"There is much absenteeism, especially in primary schools. Hunger is the main cause of this, as most learners were refusing to go to school on an empty stomach. And also most learners are absent from classes during market days as most parents have this tendency of sending their wards to markets to sell their merchandise," Chipeta explained.
Chipeta commended SEI's support, expressing optimism that the assistance will help decrease the high absenteeism rate in the district.
William Banda, SEI's Director of Operations, mentioned that the organization, in partnership with the Center for Concerned Youths in Development (CECOYD) and Child Legacy Hospital, aims to reintegrate underprivileged students who have dropped out due to financial constraints back into the education system under the Youth Empowerment through Sustainable Education (YESE) project.
"We have seen progress ever since this program was introduced, especially on the number of students graduating from primary to secondary, and secondary to tertiary education, as the number has increased," Banda said.
"In the near future, we are expecting to produce a generation that is well-educated, economically empowered, and able to contribute to national development."
Monica Newa Banda, the Lilongwe District Youth Officer, acknowledged the significant obstacle posed by the lack of school fees and appreciated the efforts of SEI and partners in working alongside the government to ensure disadvantaged individuals have access to quality education.
"A lot of youths are facing challenges, whereby they fail to go further with their education due to lack of learning materials, school fees and other things," she said.
"The coming in of this organization, we believe, will go a long way in supporting addressing these challenges."
About 146 students have benefited from the YESE initiative in primary, secondary, and tertiary education.