By Chisomo Phiri
The Deputy speaker of the National Assembly who is also a Member of Parliament for Kasungu East Constituency Madalitso Kazombo has assured all students in his constituency who failed or not performed well in their 2020 Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE) that he is ready to pay them school fees for so as they go back to school and re-sit their 2021 Malawi School Certificate of Education Examinations to be administered soon.
Speaking at Mtunthama All Saints Secondary School when launching the Programme which they call ‘ Go back to school, end early marriages’ Kazombo said he is one of the leaders who believe in the importance of education to the citizens of this country hence embarking on the Programme so as to make sure that everyone is not dropping out of school due to lack of school fees.
“As we are all aware that the results of 2020 MSCE results have been the worst in a decade, I discovered that my constituency is one of the affected parts where students haven’t performed well. As a leader for this areas, I am trying my best to make sure that these students go back to school and write the exams again so at least they can improve from their failure”, Said Kazombo.
The Deputy leader of the house said the Programme is not to befit the students in education only but also a way in fighting against early marriages and unwanted pregnancies most especially girls who if they are to stay at home with nothing to do can choose marriage as a solution to end their day-to-day challenges. He said the Programme is there to kill two birds with one stone that is to educate the citizens and end early marriages.
“I hope that keeping our children most especially girls in school may help in ending early marriages and unwanted pregnancies rather than letting them just staying at home without nothing to do. They can engage in immoral behaviors resulting in early marriages and unwanted pregnancies”. I also believe that education is the central point for the social-economic of every country and that’s why I promote education” said Kazombo.
Apart from paying them school fees, Kazombo is also voluntarily teaching the students Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Geography, History and English so as a one of preparing them to score good grades in the subjects.
In his few remarks, the Headteacher for Mtunthama All Saints Mr. Michael Masudi thanked Mr. Kazombo for including the students from his school to be the ones benefiting from the Programme saying this will help the area to have more educated people who in turn will help in developing the area and not as whole. He therefore, argued other donors and well -wishers to financially support the Programme. Masudi also argued the students considered in the Programme to work hard in preparing the exams so as to please their sponsor.
“We are very thankful to our MP Mr. Kazombo for this Programme as it will help many who have school fees challenges in the area. I argue other well-wishers and donors to financially support this great move so as to make the dream reached. To those students who have been considered as the beneficiaries of this Programme, I can say go back to school and work hard in preparation for your next exams so as to pass with flying colors and please your sponsor”, Said Masudi.
The Programme which is being supported with the financial support of about 4 million from Malawi Relief Fund is expected to support over 100 students from Mtunthama All Saints Secondary, Chamama Community Day Secondary School, Kachokoro Community Day Secondary school, Ergo Community Day Secondary School, Chimbowe Community Day Secondary School and Mikuyu Community Day Secondary School all in Kasungu East Constituency respectively.
