The Ministry of Education in Lupososhi District says 62 school-going children were married off in the third term of 2023 in the district.
Lupososhi District Guidance and Counselling Coordinator Lucia Zulu said this during the revamping of the District Child Protection Committee by the Department of Child Development.
ZANIS reports that she however, explained that the government has put in place measures to allow girl children to go back to school in the event that they fall pregnant.
Ms Zulu explained that the re-entry policy is aimed at ensuring that girl children are not left behind, as they have a second chance to go back to school.
“There is the re-entry policy, which allows girls who fall pregnant to go back to school, this is a deliberate measure to ensure girl children are not left behind,” she said.
And Lupososhi District Administrative Officer Chola Mwansa, who chairs the District Child Protection Committee, said there is a growing trend to marry off young girls at the expense of education.
“Here in Lupososhi, it is a trend for a young girl who becomes of age to be married off, ” he said.
“Over the weekends, we see many of these girls with babies on their backs as they go out to watch football, and you would think they are not the mothers because they are still young,” he added.
He said there are a number of girls with children, and yet they should be in school.
He commended the Department of Child Development for visiting the district to revamp the committee in order for it to begin looking into the welfare of children.
Meanwhile, Northern Province Child Development Coordinator Motion Milambo said the number of girls married off in the third term of 2023 is unacceptable.
Mr Milambo said this should not be allowed to continue, as the committee should ensure that they come up with strategies to curtail the vice.
He advised all the departments that form the committee to play their part in ensuring that children’s rights are protected.
The department of child development also visited Chilubi District to revamp and orient the District Child Protection Committee on their terms of reference and the Children’s Code Act Number 12 of 2022.
