Milenge; CDF Bursary Aiding Girls' Education

Govt, CAMFED Help Mothers Return to School

 By Linda Mupemo

Ethel Mwape at home with her last born daughter

Ethel Mwape walks from her dormitory to class, clad in a school uniform, white socks and black school shoes.  Her natural hair is tied together in the middle of her head. 

 

She has made friends with her books just like back in the day when she was younger. 

 

It had been nine years since she left school, having succumbed to the pressure of an early marriage after she fell pregnant at age 15 in her seventh grade.

 

Today, at 28, she is a mother of three. Her first born child is 13 years old while the youngest is seven years old. 

 

 

Ms Mwape is now in Grade 12, a few steps away from completing school. 

 

She is one of the many female learners in Milenge District in Luapula Province nodding in response to the question of whether Government's school re-entry policy being implemented across the country is beneficial. 

 

Ms Mwape narrated that the marital problems she encountered sparked her desire to return to school. 

 

"I lacked freedom. My husband was physically abusive at the time. I knew being educated was the only way I could emancipate myself hence I decided to resume my studies," she explains. 

 

Ms Mwape says her husband who is a fisherman and farmer was initially not in support of her going back to school but she was so determined that she did it against his will. 

 

"My husband threatened to divorce me if I went back to school. But my mind was made up. He eventually came around. And I was lucky my mother offered to be taking care of my children in my absence, my youngest child was four years old at the time, "she recalls. 

Ms Mwape re-wrote her Grade Seven examinations in 2018 and qualified to Grade Eight at Milenge Primary School where she did her junior secondary education. 

 

And on first attempt, she  qualified to Grade 10 and secured a place at Milenge Secondary School in 2021. 

  

Campaign for Female Education (CAMFED) came on board and started providing her with school requirements such as uniforms, boarding fees, shoes, books, sanitary towels and transport allowance.

 

Despite her age, Ms Mwape walks tall in the school premises knowing education will propel her to greater heights. 

 

 

"I am neither ashamed of my story nor do I worry about what other people think of me. I am focused on getting educated right now," she says boldly.  

 

She, however, acknowledges that juggling school work and motherhood at a young age is not all sunshine and rainbows.   

 

Ms Mwape advises young girls to stay away from pre-marital sex as they pursue their education. 

 

Teen mother Kafula Mulenga, a Grade 10 pupil at the same school concurs with Ms Mwape. 

 

Kafula, who fell pregnant after writing her grade nine examinations, says motherhood is a huge responsibility which requires one to be mentally, emotionally and financially stable. 

 

Through experience, Kafula has learned that engaging in pre-marital sexual activities could deter girls from getting an education and achieving their dreams. 

"Being a teen mom who does not receive child support from the father of her baby has been a horrible experience. I would not wish for any girl to be in my shoes. I am encouraging school girls to abstain from sex," she says with a pinch of regret in her tone. 

 

Kafula is a beneficiary of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) Secondary School Bursary and is thankful to government for giving her a second chance at accessing education. 

 

The 17-year-old says she would  not have continued with her education  if it were not for the introduction of the CDF Secondary School Bursary scheme by Government. 

 

Kafula who lives with her elder brother shares that she comes from a poor family and adding a baby to the mix further narrowed her chances of having financial resources for her school needs. 

 

"My brother could not provide for both my baby and I. If it were not for the CDF secondary school bursary, I would still be at home by now," she says. 

 

Milenge District Education Board Secretary (DEBS) Ellie Shumba says Government has made progress in the implementation of the re-entry policy in the area. 

 

Mr Shumba notes that a good number of the female learners in the nine secondary schools across the district who recently went on maternity leave have returned to school. 

 

 

He says of the 28 girls who fell pregnant in 2021, 19 have resumed their studies. 

 

"In 2022, we recorded 31 pregnancies in the secondary schools in the district including Milenge Secondary School. 12 of those have come back and have continued with their education, "he says. 

 

The department of education has since intensified its monitoring of girls who go on maternity leave to ensure their retention. 

 

 

Sadly, some girls relocate to other towns hence the need to make follow-ups with their parents to ascertain that they go back to school wherever they are. 

 

"Lack of financial resources was a hindrance from accessing education for many children prior to the introduction of the free education policy and Constituency Development Fund (CDF) secondary school bursaries. But with these education opportunities government has made available, no pupil has an excuse to drop out of school," Mr Shumba says. 

Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) such as CAMFED are playing a vital role in supplementing government efforts in promoting girl child education in Milenge. 

 

Currently, 789 girls across the district are receiving education support from CAMFED.

The high number of re-entries can also be attributed to heightened sensitisation by stakeholders. 

 

 

Other NGOs such as Natwampane and the Forum for African Women Educationalists in Zambia (FAWEZA) have been instrumental in retrieving young girls from early marriages and encouraging them to go back to school.

 

In 1997, Government introduced the re-entry policy which allows school girls who fall pregnant to be readmitted after giving birth. 

 

The policy is aimed at closing the gender gap in access to education by addressing one of the barriers female learners face. 

 

The United Nations believes education is one of the most powerful vehicles for sustainable development hence member states are expected to achieve universal access to quality education by 2030. 

Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number four targets read in part, "By 2030, eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable, including persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples and children in vulnerable situations." 

 

Milenge District Administrative Officer (DAO) Chola Kanonka reaffirmed Government's commitment in providing education opportunities for vulnerable members of society. 

 

Mr Kanonka notes that learners who cannot afford to pay boarding fees are being aided through the CDF Secondary School bursary scheme.  276 pupils in Milenge District benefited from the scheme last year.

 

"199 boys and 77 girls received education support from government through CDF. We anticipate the levels of education in the area to increase and ultimately lead to social economic development," he says. 

 

Mr Kanonka says authorities have partnered with traditional leaders in the district to sensitise residents on the importance of education and the opportunities Government has provided. 

One of these is Chief Sokontwe of the Ushi speaking people who is championing the fight against early marriages in his chiefdom. 

 

 

Chief Sokontwe says he is working with Government, Natwampane and other stakeholders to sensitise his subjects on the demerits of marrying off children at a young age. 

  

"When girls become of age, traditional marriage counsellors teach them about womanhood including sexual matters during initiation ceremonies. We are encouraging traditional marriage counsellors to only focus on menstrual hygiene; sexual teachings should be reserved for those being ushered into marriages," Chief Sokontwe advised. 

This Feature article was published in Zambia Daily Mail newspaper on 1st March, 2023.