Back to School

2023Acces to Education

Apr 25

Malawi | Ntcheu Shifters | 2023

Moni nonse!

We are Ntcheu Shifters, a self-mobilized group of young people who are determined to make a difference in the lives of our peers. We want to encourage young people, especially girls, to stay in school and get educated, eventually contributing to the development of our community.

18 to 25 years old
Ntcheu

The Right-Sized Problem

At Machira and Nenekeza Primary Schools, dropout rates are at an alarming 23%. Early marriages, pregnancy, poverty and the lack of parental support are threatening the future of the community’s youth.

What did we do?

The first thing we did to address this situation was to reach out for help from everyone who had a stake in the future of children’s education. From the primary education advisor and local councilors, to teachers, school committees and child protection workers, each one was eager to contribute to our campaign.

To better understand why so many children were leaving school, we talked to community leaders, parents, teachers and the students themselves. These focus group discussions allowed us to get information on the actual number of dropouts in the community, and why this was the reality for them.

We then went on door-to-door campaigns, visiting 160 households to speak with families of learners who had dropped out. Parents opened up about the challenges they were encountering, and we encouraged them to be involved in their child’s education, reminding them of their parental responsibilities.

To engage more members of the community, we hosted a four-day Football Bonanza. More than just a tournament, this event was a way for us to discuss the value of education and the dangers of child marriages and teenage pregnancies using the love most people have for football.

We also invited role models from various professions – a nurse, a teacher, a police officer and a farmer – to speak to the students through motivational talks. Their stories were powerful examples of what could happen if the youth work hard and stay in school.

The Machira Village was filled with music, traditional dances, drama and powerful speeches during our Open Day. It was a celebration of education, bringing together students, teachers, parents and community leaders, fostering a commitment to learning.

Through fundraising, we distributed learning materials to 20 girls and 30 boys who were returning to school, and covered the school fees for a vulnerable secondary school learner.

Campaign Impact

Although shifting the parents’ mindsets was a challenge, our persistent efforts paid off. There is a broader understanding of the value of education for both girls and boys. Parents became more aware of their role in supporting their children’s education and have already shown a willingness to provide what their kids need in school. This led to an immediate effect: an impressive 117 out of 160 child dropouts returned to school. Machira Primary School especially saw a significant increase in enrollment.

Another significant win was that we were able to dissolve 9 child marriages, thanks to the hard work of the child protection committee, local leaders and community members.

We are inspired by the success of this campaign and we are looking to expand it across all villages under Traditional Authority Kwataine. We want to showcase the power of peer-to-peer engagement and the value of youth involvement in solving big issues like this.

Impact in Numbers