By James Mwale

Ntchisi, August 7, Mana: Minister of Labour, Agnes NyaLonje has urged stakeholders to work jointly and invest in child education saying this is the only way of eliminating poverty.

She was speaking on Tuesday at Mbuyedziko primary school ground, in the area of Senior Chief Kalumo, in Ntchisi district, where she presided over this year’s commemoration of World Day Against Child Labour.

She said denying children their right to education and engaging them in works that exceed their age limit is increasing levels of poverty and that concerted interventions from all stakeholders are key to ending the malpractice.

“Let us work together to do away with all practices that hinder our children from enjoying their right to access education,” said NyaLonje who added: “Let us love all the children and no country has ever developed without education.”

She further said allowing children their right to education resonates with President Lazarus Chakwera’s dream for a new Malawi, which can be achieved through educated minds.

In his welcome remarks, Senior Chief Kalumo conceded that child labour which has mostly been accelerated by poverty is negatively impacting his area and the district at large.

“We always appreciate the government’s interventions, in collaboration with the Civil Society against this backward practice,” he said.

Engaging children in tobacco farms and herding cattle are among child labour practices in the district.

This year’s commemoration was held under the theme “Let’s Act On Our Commitment to End Child Labour”