Edukans Mentorship Programme Helps Malawian Students Plan for Future
13-year-old Malawian student benefits from mentorship programme, writes Bridget Mwanoka.
LILONGWE, Malawi-A 13-year-old student in Malawi is one of many who have benefited from a mentorship programme that is helping students plan for their future, writes Bridget Mwanoka.
Agnes Kaphuka, a Standard 7 student at Kankhonde Primary School in Lilongwe, said that the programme has helped her to "grow under guidance, build enthusiasm, and be sure about my future goals and objectives."
Edukans Foundation, an organization that promotes basic education in Malawi, introduced the mentorship programme in 2022.
The programme provides students with tools and advice to help them address challenges they encounter, as well as identify and achieve their career goals.
Kaphuka said that the programme has inspired her to work hard and to become a leader in her community.
She also cited the lack of desks at her school as a challenge, saying that it makes it difficult for girls to participate in class.
The headteacher of Kankhonde Primary School, Damalese Mlongoti, applauded the mentorship programme, saying that it has contributed to a high number of students being selected for secondary school.
"The project has helped in changing some of the malpractices, such as punctuality, deserting from classes, and poor learners’ performance, but above all, it has boosted the dedication of teachers," said Mlongoti.
The mentorship program is a 10-month pilot project funded by UNICEF and is being implemented in nine districts of Malawi.
Edukans International Chief Executive Officer Petra van Haren visited Malawi in June 2023 to see the programme in action.
"My visit to the country has proven that Edukans is creating a positive impact on teaching by providing professional development opportunities to teachers to enable them to improve students’ learning outcomes," said van Haren.
According to van Haren, Edukans is committed to creating future perspectives for children and youth.
Edukans Country Director in Malawi, Dr Limbani Nsapato, said that the project is indeed contributing to the quality of education by improving learning outcomes.
"One aspect of the programme is that teachers should be empowered to teach with impact and use available resources to motivate these learners," said Nsapato.
The project is targeting 360 schools, 130,000 girls and boys in primary schools, 50,000 boys and girls in secondary schools, 30 master trainers, 1,800 school leaders, and 9,000 teachers.
As part of its five-year strategic plan agenda to unleash the power of education, Edukans Malawi is supporting the Ministry of Education in implementing several projects in basic, secondary, and vocational education to realise the country’s vision, Malawi2063.