Encroachment of school premises worries council

Dedza District Council has expressed concern over rising cases of encroachment of school premises being perpetrated by communities surrounding the institutions.

A report released by the council’s education committee indicates that cases of encroachment have been recorded in all public primary and secondary schools in the district.

Presenting the report at a council meeting on Friday, Dedza District Council chairperson Ephraim Dzinkambani said some communities have disagreed with school authorities because of land encroachment.

“The situation is particularly worse in schools near Chimbiya, Bembeke and Linthipe trading centres. This is being fuelled by high population growth in the district and rising need for land either for cultivation or settlement,” he said.

Dedza district commissioner (DC) James Kanyangalazi said the council has embarked on an exercise to demarcate and lease land for all the schools in the district.

“We are making efforts, through the Lands and Education departments, to mark all school lands with beacons and lease it. We have so far completed the exercise in most schools and the exercise is expected to finish by end of next year,” he said. n