2)–Chienge Ponde school pupils abused

Chienge Ponde school pupils abused

Chienge, June 4, 2013, ZANIS….Lack of boarding facilities at Ponde secondary school in Chienge district is forcing pupils to rent houses in the surrounding villages.

School Manager Agnes Puta says the school has a population of 700 pupils among them 185 females, some of whom are drawn from far flung areas.

Mrs. Puta, who is the wife to Senior Chief Puta said this during a meeting held at the school by Luapula province minister Benson Kapaya to explain the removal of subsidies on maize and fuel.

She said the situation has lead to an increase in cases of abuse and harassment of pupils from members of the community.

Responding to the appeal by Mrs Puta, General Kapaya said government attaches great importance to the education of youths in the country, especially that of girls.

The Luapula province minister said government is currently working out modalities to ensure that schools such as Ponde secondary are provided with boarding facilities to enable pupils learn in a conducive environment.

Ponde Secondary School has in the recent past been recording high cases of pregnances, as well sexually transmitted infections among the girl pupils.

The school has recorded cases of members of the communities stealing from the pupils houses and at times trying to forcibly gain access to their rooms.