2)—Teachers disappoint Ushi chief

———– Chief Kasoma Lwela of

the Ushi people of Chembe in Luapula province says he is

disappointed with the behavior of some teachers in his chiefdom.

The chief says it was sad that teachers who are supposed to protect

children in schools have become perpetrators of bad vices against

children.

Reacting to a case in which a named teacher at Chaiwa Primary School

in Chembe was two weeks ago arrested by police for having canal

knowledge of a pupil the chief said there is need for stiffer

punishment to such teachers as they are tarnishing the image of the

teaching profession.

ZANIS reports that the chief said this at his palace when Children In

Need (CHIN) Coordinator Emmanuel Musonda paid a courtesy call on him.

Chief Kasoma Lwela observed that there is need for more sensitization

on child rights so that not only children are aware of their rights

but also parents adding that a lot of people are still ignorant about

the rights of children.

He cited the issue of rampant early marriages in his chiefdom as one

that both children and parents should be sensitized about saying the

future of many children will remain bleak  if they continue to be left

in the dark on their rights.

He has since called on government to empower chiefs with laws that

will enable them  deal with perpetrators of child marriages

saying currently chiefs have little to say on such issues.

And Children In Need Coordinator Emmanuel Musonda told the chief that

his organization is concerned with issues of child rights that have

continued to be violated.

Mr Musonda said children are future leaders who if protected and given

education can in future change the livelihood of their families.