The government of Malawi has advised parents to monitor the movements of their children, especially the girls during the holidays, so as to guard against early pregnancy and early marriage that would not allow them to complete their education.

Speaking during a Campaign for Female Education CAMFED meeting held to prepare a girls’ camp for 75 secondary school girls, the District Education Manager for Mwanza, Harris Kachale stressed the need for parents to provide adequate support for their wards. “Experience has shown that most girls drop out of school when they are on holidays. Many get pregnant and eventually enter into early marriage. Parents or guardians should know they have crucial responsibility to make sure their children return to school in September when schools open,” he explained, as gathered by CEOAFRICA.com.

Furthermore, Mr. Harris said Chiefs should partake in this quest by formulating by-laws that protect and promote girls education, with stiffer punishment for perpetrators. “If a married person has impregnated a school going girl, let the law put into account the huge loss based on the girls status,” he concluded.

While explaining the modus operandi of the camp, District Camfed Officer Eric Muthiya states that seventy-five participants will be given guardian lessons by five role models from different profession. “Girls camp will help the girls to know how to become a teacher, nurse or banker. All we want is for them to appreciate what it takes to become what they wish to become in future,” he said.

He also explained that the camp would also give the girls an opportunity to interact with people who have excelled in their chosen career, as girls who have not made up their mind about their future profession would also be enlightened and be able to choose a career.

 Muthiya said another set of 22 girls who have completed their secondary school education and are currently benefitting from Camfed support would form a Mwanza Camfed Association.

Through this association, Muthiya said, girls will be able to get training support, microfinance, leadership opportunities, and make friendships with their fellow Camfed beneficiaries from countries such as Tanzania and Zimbabwe.