Activists protest use of children in demos
Child rights defenders have backed Ministry of Education in condemning the participation of school children in political demonstrations, saying such acts violate children’s right to education.
Their comments follow a Ministry of Education statement released yesterday expressing disappointment with viral pictures showing young school children carrying placards with political connotations.
The children were photographed during a protest march organised by some concerned citizens led by activist Bon Kalindo in Mulanje District.
The demonstrators, among others, were calling for the resignation of President Lazarus Chakwera and Vice-President Saulos Chilima for what they call, failure to fulfil campaign promises.
in Mulanje on Saturday
But Ministry of Education has condemned the act, saying allowing children’s participation in demonstrations disturbs the teaching and learning process in schools.
Reads the statement in part: “While we recognize that the Constitution allows citizens to carry out demonstrations, the ministry would like to advise all parents, guardians, teachers, private school operators, activists and the public that school children should not and must not be used in demonstrations during school hours as this is detrimental to their education.”
The statement further said the ministry will not hesitate to engage the appropriate law enforcement agencies to ensure that the children’s right to education is not violated.
Institute of Governance and Accountability managing director Charles Maluwa said demonstrators exercised their right irresponsibly.
He said: “It is a violation of children’s right to participate in political demonstrations according to Section 3 of Child Care and Protection Act. The act explains the duties and responsibilities of parents.”
Another child rights activist, Alexious Kamangira, said abusing children to advance adults’ objectives is wrong even if done outside school hours..
In recent years, school children have on several occasions been caught in cross-fire during protests. During the era of former president Joyce Banda between April 2012 and May 2014, primary school learners in Blantyre marched to Sanjika Palace to protest delayed resolution of their teachers’ demands for salary increment.
