Monthly Update From the Field: June 2024

Namunda Primary School in Mulanje, Malawi – June 2024 marked both progress and continuing challenges as we strive to provide quality education for our students. This month’s report offers insights into the day-to-day efforts of the school, covering everything from facility maintenance to student achievements and areas of need.

Facility Maintenance: Keeping Our School Running

In June, several critical maintenance tasks were carried out to ensure a safe and conducive learning environment for our students. We successfully completed repairs to the staffroom door and some classroom windows, enhancing the functionality of our school facilities. These maintenance efforts may seem small, but they play a vital role in maintaining a productive learning space.

However, some areas still require attention. We have a backlog of work, including the maintenance of tiles in certain classrooms, which we plan to address in August. These improvements are crucial to keeping our school environment safe and welcoming for all students.

Supporting Vulnerable Students

One of our ongoing priorities is the support of vulnerable children. As of June, our student body included 1,084 children, with 551 boys and 533 girls. Many of these students face significant challenges. According to our records, 57 boys and 40 girls are single or double orphans, and an additional 255 students are classified as “needy.”

The school is deeply committed to providing these students with the resources they need to thrive, whether through educational support, vocational training, or meeting their basic needs. Uniforms, supplies, and access to clean water are just a few of the critical resources we aim to provide, with the help of our partners and donors.

Challenges in Student Retention

While we proudly celebrate the achievements of our students, dropout rates raise concerns, particularly among older students. This year, 27 boys (2%) and 34 girls (3%) left school, primarily due to pregnancy, early marriage, and family responsibilities. These social and economic pressures make it difficult for many students, especially girls, to remain in school.

Although our dropout rates are well below the national averages in Malawi—12% for boys and 15% for girls—we are deeply committed to keeping all children in school for a brighter future, and addressing these pressures is essential to our mission.

To tackle this issue, we engaged local leaders and held meetings with our Headteacher and school management committees to better understand the root causes. The Headteacher has been tasked with organizing discussions with village headmen and women to further address these challenges. Through these conversations, we’ve confirmed that our life-skills programs play a critical role in student retention.

To take immediate action, we’re exploring the introduction of two new life-skills programs with our partners at GAIA Global Health, one of which will be tailored specifically for our girl students. We look forward to providing more updates on these initiatives in September!

A Path Forward

The road ahead requires not only ongoing facility improvements but also a strong commitment to the holistic well-being of our students, particularly when it comes to keeping students engaged and in school. From expanding life-skills programs to fostering deeper relationships with local leaders, we are committed to creating a brighter future for all our students.

As we look toward the coming months, your involvement is more important than ever. Together, we can ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive, learn, and grow. Stay tuned for updates in the coming months as we continue this journey of progress, learning, and empowerment!

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