By James Mwale

Ntchisi, August 23, Mana: Government has reaffirmed its commitment to support children’s education in its continued effort of ensuring that the country has a bright future.

Deputy Director of Administration in the Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare, Esther Ng’ong’ola made the reaffirmation Friday at Chikwatula Resource Center (CRC) in Ntchisi district where she presided over the closing ceremony of the district’s Child Parliament.

Ng’ong’ola was reacting to the child legislators’ call for protection against malpractices such as child labour, insufficient knowledge of Sexual Reproductive Health, climate change issues and a conducive learning environment in schools saying they hinder their ease of access to education.

One of the child legislators, Judith Juma, from the area of Senior Chief Kasakula said: “Trees that used to act as windbreakers in our area have been carelessly cut down by charcoal burners to the effect that strong winds blow down a teacher’s houses at a primary school I go to.

“This affected our learning because teachers had to spend time searching for a new place to stay, a time that could have been dedicated to teaching learners.”

Another legislator, Tidziwane Mastala, from Senior Chief Chikho, decried increased practices of child labour saying most parents send children in tobacco and tea farms, while others are sent to herd cattle of well-to-do farmers to earn a quick earning at a time they should be going to school.

In her speech, Ng’ong’ola said: “Issues that have been raised herein cannot be overemphasized. And you have not only spoken for yourselves as Ntchisi district, but for all children in the 28 districts across the country. Government through the Ministry of Gender already has policies that care for children’s welfare but the concerns raised here are a call for us to engage an extra gear.”

She then called on local councils to work in collaboration with legislators, traditional authorities and Civil Society Organizations to ensure that children’s rights to education is upheld.

Echoing Ng’ong’ola, Member of Parliament for Ntchisi South constituency, Ulemu Chilapondwa, said it was encouraging to see that the child legislators, who are the future of the district, and the country at large were keen to have their rights to education defended.

He has since committed to work with the district’s council, local authorities and fellow legislators to ensure that all children in the district have full access to education.

The five-day-long Parliamentary Session was held under the theme “Umphawi Usatilepheletse Mahunziro”.

Meanwhile, the child legislators have challenged the district council, Non-State Actors, parliamentarians and local authorities to put stiff penalties against all perpetrators of activities that pose a threat to their education.