Burn initiation camps, says Nice

 National Initiative for Civic Education (Nice) Trust has ordered traditional leaders in Mangochi District to burn initiation camps to allow children to return to school.

Mangochi district civic education officer Joseph Chamambala issued the order on Monday after learning that some initiation camps, especially in traditional authorities (T/As) Makanjira, Lulanga, Namabvi, Katuli, Jalasi and Bwananyambi are still operational despite school opening on Monday for the 2023/24 academic year.

Speaking after visiting the camps in T/A Makanjira on Monday, Chamambala expressed disappointment with the situation.

He said: “It is disappointing to still keep children in camps when their friends are in class.

“This is bad because it infringes on the children’s right to education. I instruct traditional leaders to pounce on the initiation camps and burn them to allow the children to go to school.”

 Chamambala said community leaders have the responsibility to protect children; hence, asking them to assume a proactive role to protects them.

Makanjira Block Area civic education coordinator Alex Amadu said there are many camps in the area which are yet to be decommissioned.

 “However, after engaging the initiation counsellors, traditional leaders and child protection workers, we are sure that this weekend the camps will be decommissioned,” he said.

Village heads Ndete, Chilinda, Mpangama and Mtwana apologised for their actions and burned down initiation camps.

The district’s social welfare officer Susan Chafuwa described the development as a setback to children’s right to education.

She said: “I am aware that there are some T/As in the district where initiation camps are still operational.

“We will mobilise police officers and other stakeholders to enforce the law.”