‘Harmful cultural practices contributing to school drop-out in Balaka’

By Precious Msosa

Education authorities in Balaka have cited harmful cultural practices and poor parental care as main factors that are fueling school drop-out among children in the district.

District Principal Education Officer Baxter Chakwera said it is high time parents and guardians realized the importance of education over some cultural practices. He said this is why as some parts of the district are currently holding initiation ceremonies, locally known as zinamwali, chiefs should make sure that initiation camps should be closed by the time the school will be opening on September 22.

“Let us not trade the children’s right to education for cultural practices. This is why I am appealing to the chiefs to make sure that all initiation camps should be closed by the time the school will be opening,” said Chakwera.   

He was speaking during an education awareness campaign in Mpilisi and Ulongwe education zones recently. The function was held under the Tilimbikitse ndi Kuteteza Maufulu a Ana (TiKuMA) project which is being implemented by Save the Children and funded by Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD).

But in his remarks, Traditional Authority (T/A) Makwinja said by-laws are already in place to ensure that no initiation ceremonies should be held during the school period. He said all initiation camps are burnt down few days to the school opening.

He added that if initiation ceremonies are operational during the school, a chief of that area is punished.

TiKuMA project officer for Balaka Titus Chikhasu said the campaign was aimed at enlightening parents and guardians the importance of sending the children to school and further renew their commitment.