School Attendance
Given the importance of education, MCV’s objective is to maximize school attendance.
While no fees are required for primary school, there are few such schools, and most children have to walk long distances to attend. In addition, there are the costs of school supplies and clothes to contend with. MCV encourages caregivers to send their children to school, both orphans and non-orphans alike, and offers help with clothes and supplies. The good news is that, while government surveys indicate that 67% of all primary school age children in the Mangochi District attend primary school, 76% of MCV’s primary school age orphans (ages 6-12) attended primary school in 2007.
In addition to adequate completion of primary school, fees are required for attendance at secondary school. These fees are beyond the means of most households, and would generally preclude attendance by orphans. Thus, MCV uses donations to support orphans who have done well in primary school. Because of this support, 85% of MCV’s secondary school age orphans (ages 13-18) attended secondary school in 2007, compared to just 31% of all secondary school age children in the Mangochi District.
School Performance
To enhance the availability of high-quality secondary education, MCV established Gracious Secondary Scholl on its central campus. The school started in 2007 and included Forms I and II. Form III was added in 2008 and Form IV was added in January 2009. There are now more than 300 students at Gracious, including 100 orphans who are supported by donations to MCV.
In Malawi, all students who have completed Form II must pass the Junior Certificate Exam to qualify to pursue further education. In 2007, 96% of the Form II students at Gracious passed the JCE. In 2008, a 100% passage rate was achieved. The national passage rate for both years was less than 40%. Thus, MCV has achieved educational success!
Malawi also has a national test – the Malawi Secondary Certificate Exam (MSCE) – for students who have completed Form IV. In 2009, 96% of Gracious’s first graduating class passed the MSCE. Learn more here.
