By Blessings Sabiti and Yankho Kalulu

Phalombe June 21, Mana:  Phalombe District Council on Friday urged Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE) examinations candidates to prepare very well to excel and put the district on the top of the list of best performers.

District Education Director Representative, Davie Mugwa, made the appeal during a farewell occasion with the students, urging them to remain focus and seek God's intervention during their examination.

“It is my plea to you to beat the previous 95 percent pass rate,” he said, adding that the Council relies on the students’ good performance to put the district on the map.

“I have to be honest with that you, you are our hope and in you we believe that Phalombe District will be one of the best performing districts,” he said.

Phalombe Secondary School Head Teacher, Lovemore Likhumpha, also urged the students not to get over excited.

“Don't feel that you have made it in life, you still have another ladder to climb. You still need to pull your socks up,” said the head teacher, and he further encouraged the students to dedicate their time to thorough preparation.

The outgoing school head girl, Valentine Malapo, acknowledged that most of students feel relaxed after farewell, reminding fellow students the need to remain focused for best academic results.

“Let us not relax, next chapter is for us to go to university or college: There are places waiting for us up there,” she said.

Malapo also advised her fellow students never to rush for marriage after writing examinations, saying there is a lot to be done in life.

“Marriage should not be a priority after writing examination,” she said, citing scenarios of most young people that write MSCE examinations only to get married believing they are mature enough.

Almost 130 Phalombe Secondary School students are ready to write examinations.