CONSTRUCTION OF NEW SCHOOLS TO HELP END CHILD MARRIAGES

By Aamon Butao

Government has disclosed that the construction of Two Hundred and Fifty secondary schools will help end child marriages.

According to Minister of Education Agnes Nyalonje child marriages are a big problem because of unavailability of schools in some areas.

Nyalonje said the new secondary schools will also help students develop interest in education. 

 Stakeholders have long expressed worry that long distance to schools contributes to drop out rates. 

This challenge will be a thing of the past, according to Minister of Education Agnes Nyalonje, once construction of the Two Hundred and Fifty secondary schools is completed. 

Nyalonje however said the ministry has come up with concrete criteria of constructing the schools in areas where there is greater need.

The Two Hundred and Fifty Secondary Schools construction project is expected to be completed in 2023.

The Minister of Education says construction will be in phases and has since completed pilot phase in selected districts that include Machinga, Balaka and Thyolo. 

The American government is supporting the school project with money amounting to Ninety Million US Dollars.