Posted Sep 24, 2009
Namwala, 24th September, 2009, ZANIS - Namwala District Commissioner, Wilson Siaduka says the rising number of early marriages and pregnancies among school-going children in the District stands as deterrent to government’s efforts in attaining the Millennium Development Goals[MDGs’] by the year 2015 .
Mr. Siaduka warned that the District risks lagging behind of the rest of the country in attaining quality education for all if the situation is not quickly addressed.
He stressed on the need for serious sensitization of the people in the District to discourage parents from marrying off their daughters at a tender age, thereby depriving them an opportunity to finish their education.
Mr. Siaduka cited Shimashikwe Basic School in Chief Muchila’s area where 18 cases of early marriages and pregnancies among pupils were recorded this year alone from January to September.
The Commissioner prodded traditional leaders in the District to be in the forefront in spearheading sensitization programmes aimed at raising awareness of the value of education.
Mr. Siaduka also urged chiefs in the District to pernalize those engaging their daughters in early marriages.
He further called on Non-Governmental Organizations [NGOs] involved in Child education to spread their wings to Namwala District to help reduce the two vices.
“ Am appealing to our Royal Highnesses and NGOs to persuade parents to stop this vice so that our children could be educated and contribute meaningfully to the development of our country in future,” said Mr. Siaduka.
And District Education Board Secretary, Munamukuni Shandele said the escalating cases of early forced marriages are rife in the District and that concerted efforts must be made by all stakeholders to control the situation.
Mr. Shandele said if the situation was not addressed urgently the District would continue to record high illiteracy levels as the number of school drop outs sky rockets.
He attributed the increase in early marriages and pregnancies in the district to poverty and ignorance about the value of education the traditional practice of parents marrying off their daughters at an early age in exchange for cattle, which they consider as a symbol of wealth and high social status in society.