Study circles improving students’ performance in Malawi

District Education Manager (DEM) for Chiradzulu, Harris Kachale has expressed confidence that introduction of study circles could help improve performance of students in Secondary School in the district.

Kachale said this Tuesday at Chiradzulu Boma during a District Community Development Committee (DCD) meeting for Campaign for Female Education (CAMFED). CAMFED provides school bursary to needy students particularly girls in secondary schools.

Kachale said the monitoring activities CAMFED members conducted recently in Community Day Secondary Schools has revealed that students are performing poorly in Science and English subjects.

He attributed the poor performance to lack of study circles in schools for each class which gives students a platform to help one another with the guidance of teachers.

“We can improve student’s performance if students come together in groups after conventional classes. The circles help students share ideas on different topics and teachers are there to fill the knowledge gap students have on certain topics.

He said forming study circles does not mean that teachers will have extra classes but that their work will be just to guide them on how to go about other topics.

Kachale therefore said he had already agreed with head teachers in secondary schools that by October this year (2014) study circles will be in place and functional in the district.