‘Abuse’ of pupils in Siavonga reduces

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Mabumba High day school,
Many children live a long way from school and prefer to rent accommodation nearby. Grade 12 pupil Dorcas, 17, stopped attending the Mabumba High day school, about 20km east of provincial capital Mansa, after becoming pregnant. She said: “We were staying the three of us [girls], then we started sharing the house with three guys and that is how we paired ourselves. We just wanted some form of emotional support; life is really tough out there. So, the whole of last year we were living together with the guys and would have [unprotected] sex almost every night but everything was OK.” ~ Dorcas. Photo Credit - Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN)

Headman Kabumbu of chief Chipepo’s area in Siavonga District is happy that the trend by some teachers in the area to use pupils to work in their fields has reduced.

Headman Kabumbu said the trend had reached alarming levels a few weeks ago.

The traditional leader told ZANIS in a telephone interview from Siavonga that the development was an infringement on the pupils’ right to education.

Headman Kabumbu has since praised losing Siavonga constituency Patriotic Front (PF) candidate during the 2011 general elections Lovemore Kanyama and other sympathisers for speaking strongly against the vice.

Two weeks ago, Mr. Kanyama expressed concern over some teachers in named schools in the district who were using pupils to cultivate their fields.

But an effort to get a comment from the Minister of Education, Science and Early Education Michael Kaingu on the matter failed as his mobile phone was off.

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