Chief Pushes for Girls' Hostel to Curb Dropout Rate
Once built, the girls' hostel will provide a safe and supportive environment for female students to focus on their education, free from challenges of long commutes.
SALIMA, Malawi — In a move to tackle the alarming dropout rate among female students, Senior Chief Mwanza of Salima District has made a passionate plea for a girls' hostel at Thavite Community Day Secondary School, writes Alinafe Jimmy Mkwezalamba.
"Our girls deserve a chance to shine, but the lack of a hostel is holding them back. Most are getting pregnant since they are staying far from the school and along the way they are enticed by men and boys into sexual intercourse," the chief emphasized.
The call to action came during the groundbreaking ceremony for a state-of-the-art ICT laboratory, funded by the Universal Service Fund through MACRA's 'Connect a School' project.
Member of Parliament for Salima North, Kenam Kaphamthengo Yona, who was the guest of honor echoed the chief's sentiments, pledging to support the construction of the much-needed hostel.
"We're committed to empowering our girls through education, and this laboratory is just the starting point. As a community we have already molded 100,000 bricks and I will look for resources to realize the dream," Yona declared.
The 'Connect a School' project aims to equip the school with a cutting-edge ICT laboratory, complete with 60 modern computers and free internet access.
"This initiative will bridge the digital divide and unlock a world of opportunities for our students," said MACRA's Quality Assurance Manager, Cossam Chingamcheke.
Once built, the girls' hostel will provide a safe and supportive environment for female students to focus on their education, free from challenges of long commutes.
"This hostel will be a beacon of hope for our girls, and we're in advance grateful for the support," Senior Chief Mwanza said.