Source: Malawi News Agency (Lilongwe)
Mulanje — The Community Development Committee (CDC) which works to support needy girls under the bursary scheme of Campaign for Female Education (Camfed) in Mulanje says it is worried with the increase in the number of secondary school girls under the bursary scheme who are dropping out of school because of pregnancies.
This was revealed at a CDC meeting held on Thursday in Mulanje where among other things it was reported that out of 892 secondary school girls who are under the Camfed scheme, 28 are reported to be pregnant and are out of school.
Speaking at the meeting, Vice Chairperson of CDC, Gideon Mothisa said with the increase in the number of girls dropping out of school because of pregnancies, there was need for the committee to work extra hard to reverse the trend.
"As a committee, we can't leave the situation like this, let us do something to ensure that needy girls who are supported by Camfed finish their education," said Mothisa.
The committee then resolved to visit school based committees to sensitize parents and guardians on their role towards the girls so that more are not lost to pregnancies and early marriages.
Some weeks ago the committee conducted school visits aimed at encouraging the girls under Camfed to work hard in their studies.
Chikhwaza Community day secondary school registered a high number of drop outs because of pregnancies.
Camfed started its operation of supporting needy secondary school girls early this year in Mulanje where among other things, it is paying school fees, buying uniforms, shoes, school bags and other scholastic materials.