Initiation camps in Malawi asked to release children for school

A call has gone out to traditional leaders and initiation counsellors in Malawi’s eastern district of Balaka the district to release children out of the initiation camps as the school opens.

Youth and Child Protection Officer for Balaka Police Sergeant Elias Sungani made the call after noting that some children are still in initiation camps a day before School opens.

“It’s  sad to learn that  others have just joined the initiation camps two weeks ago a development that could see children remaining in camps even after School opens since the initiation takes almost a month,” he said.

This year School calendar opens on 8th September, 2014 and in the past; some Traditional leaders and initiation counsellors have been keeping children in initiation camps even after School had been opened; which is an infringement to children’s rights to education.

In a related development, the Station Traffic Officer for Balaka Police Inspector Julius Phiri is calling upon all motorists to drive carefully on the roads of Malawi as School opens tomorrow Monday 8th September, 2014.

“This is a first term and children who are starting standard one will be crossing the roads and some for the first time,” said Phiri.

Phiri also asked parents and guardians to escort and assist their children to cross the road these first days until they become used and urged the pupils not to play along the roads.

He said Police officers in the district will be deployed in all the busy places and soon be visiting all Schools which are along the road to sensitize the pupils on road safety measures so as to control road accidents.

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