Protect learners from marriages—chief
Senior Chief Dzoole of Dowa District has appealed to his subjects to fight child marriages during the school holiday.
Speaking on Wednesday during the elevation of village head Chilakalaka to group village head, the chief said the long holiday offers a fertile ground for child marriages.
“Let us join hands to ensure that no child gets into early marriage this holiday. We have the responsibility
to protect children from all forms of abuse, including marriages,” said Dzoole.
The senior chief said it was sad that some families were marrying off their daughters instead of encouraging them to go to school.
Dzoole also appealed to parents in the district to help spearhead the fight against child labour, which he said denies children their right to education.
Melika Alick, a Standard Seven learner at Chakhala Primary School, commended the senior chief for setting by-laws to protect children fromabuse.
“Long holidays sometimes can drive children to indulge in risky behaviours that can result in unplanned pregnancies or early marriages,” she said.
The 2023/24 academic year closed on July 26 2024 and a new academic year is expected to start in September. During the one-month holiday, some cultures send children to initiation camps.
However, rights groups always encourage people to close such camps in time for children to return to school
