Chief Shakumbila’s wife qualifies for Grade 10 at the age of 41

Wife of Senior Chief Shakumbila, Exhilda, who last year sat for Grade Nine examinations has qualified for Grade 10 at the age of 41.

Both Chief Shakumbila and Exhildah confirmed the development to ZANIS in Mumbwa.

The chief said his wife scored 430 marks out of the cut-off point of 330 and she was the second highest at the school.

Senior Chief Shakumbila explained that his wife was selected to go to Mumbwa Secondary School for Grade 10 but she has not been offered a place due to age.

And Mumbwa Secondary School Manager, Evans Ngosa, also confirmed the results, saying it was difficult to accommodate an adult woman in a class of teenagers.

And Exhildah said she is ready to continue with education if offered a place at any school.

Mrs Shakumbila has appealed to government to consider up-grading Myooye Primary School into a secondary so that she finishes their secondary education and more women are accorded an opportunity

And Central Province Permanent Secretary, Edwidge Mutale, who encouraged Mrs Shakumbila to continue with her education last year, has congratulated her for making it to Grade 10.

When asked to comment on the refusal of the School Management to enrol Mrs Shakumbila, Mrs Mutale said government is considering education as a priority.

The PS added that it was unfortunately that the school management has not offered her a place when there is already a re-entry to school for women.

She, however, said she would consult her counterpart at the Ministry of Education for a way forward.

Mrs Shakumbila last year was enrolled in Grade 9 at Chisalu School where she wrote her Grade 9 examinations.

She came out second at the school after scoring 430 points.