MASP Completes North Tour

The Malawi Scotland Partnership has completed its successful northern region tour with activities which aimed at strengthening northern region chapter and career talk in inspiring learners to achieve their dreams, and reduce dropout rates.

The tour comprised of two major activities in northern region which were the MaSP regional meeting north chapter, held at Grand Palace Hotel and a career talk at Masasa Primary and Ekwendeni Girls Secondary schools from 9-11 July 2024.

The tour started with a career talk at Masasa Primary and Ekwendeni Girls secondary schools where girls were inspired and encouraged to improvise their goal in their studies so that at the end of the day, that goal is accomplished.

Speaking during a visit at Masasa primary in Mzuzu and Ekwendeni girls’ secondary schools respectively, a lecturer from department of Communication studies at Mzuzu University Elida Kamanga who was a role model said rural learners lack inspirations, leading to high dropout rates.

“When we don’t inspire learners, they may reign to fate thinking that’s just the way things are. But by connecting with them, learners can find role models who encourage them to take risks and pursue their dreams” said Kamanga.

She, therefore called for concerted efforts to inspire, challenge, and encourage young minds to reach their full potential.

Meanwhile the head teacher of Masasa primary Steve Soko applauded a career talk Programme by Malawi Scotland Partnership but emphasized that there is a big challenge for adolescent girls around Masasa area because most of them are not encouraged to go to school which increases dropout rate.

“It is disheartening that communities around Masasa primary school are fond of sending adolescent girls to markets in the city of Mzuzu rather than encouraging them to go to school, this is a major barrier for these girls to meet their dreams” said Soko.

Malawi Scotland Partnership acting Chief Executive Officer Linda Dembo said their Programme targeted Masasa primary school girls because most of them are sent by their parents to sell agricultural produce in town especially when they reach puberty stage around (standard 6-8),this is so because they prioritise earning over education.

During a motivations speech at Ekwendeni girls secondary and Masasa primary schools learners were encouraged and expressed their dream of becoming various professionals.

MaSP regional meeting was held to encourage and improve networking among MaSP member, and a career talk Programme was organized to motivate and encourage girls to attain their dreams.