Balaka Police officers to protect children in schools

Balaka Police Community Policing coordinator HarrisonNogwe on Tuesday unveiled plans to embark on a one police officer per school initiative in the district.

He said the initiative seeks to end violence against children which he said is on the rise.

Nogwe disclosed this during a child protection meeting the district social welfare office organised.

“The initiative will curb acts of violence against and abuse of school children. Each police officer will be given a school to interact with pupils to hear their challenges at school, home or on the way to school,” he said, adding that police will work with the district education manager’s office and the social welfare office.

Senior assistant social welfare officer Nellia Kumalele said the initiative will help children speak out on their problems, especially gender-based violence.

She said: “During a sweeping exercise, we once came across a young girl who joined other street children because her biological father was forcing her to sleep with him.

“When she told other elders they ignored her, but we helped her to return to school by sending her to Youth Net and Counselling drop centre.

Kumalele said if the initiative is introduced, girls who face similar challenges will be helped to live their dream. About 70 young children were withdrawn from the streets, drinking places as well as rest houses this year alone in Balaka.