Parents who collude with men who impregnate students to be arrested

BY THE GUARDIAN REPORTER

Education and Vocational Training deputy minister Philipo Mulugo has ordered the arrest of parents who would be proved to have accepted livestock given as an inducement to cover up for people who impregnate their schooling daughters.

Mulugo, who is also member of Parliament for Songwe constituency, gave the order at Khanga Secondary School in Chunya District recently where he was the chief guest at the school's third graduation ceremony.

He said in Songwe constituency, whose residents are mostly herders and farmers, there were instances whereby girls had their education cut short after being impregnated and no legal action was taken against the culprits.

He said what often took place was for the girl's parents to meet with the boy parents and soon the girl’s parents were given a number of cattle in order to settle the matter out of court.

“Parents who are proved to have taken cattle to cover up for those who impregnated their daughters should equally be charged in a court of law," said Mulugo.

Mulugo also ordered all students to move into the school's hostels and stop from staying outside the school premises.

He said the order to shift should be implemented within seven days so that by 1 October all should be living in the hostels.

Earlier, while reading the school development report, the headmaster said the graduating class started with 157 students but only 79 reached the fourth form.

He said the other students failed to complete their studies owing to various reasons, including truancy and pregnancy.

Mulugo donated two sets of microscopes to the school to help in practical training. Furthermore, the MP donated 2m/- for the purpose of purchasing solar panels and facilities to provide the school with solar power as the government is in the process of connecting the village to the national grid.

Meanwhile, the residents of Saza Village in Songwe constituency have sold to Shanta Gold Mine (SGM) sand believed to contain gold that was abandoned by the colonialists in the village.

The pile of sand was sold at $250,000 (about 390m/-) and already the money has been deposited in the village account.

Handing over the cheque to the village leaders, Mulugo said the money should be directed into village projects.

He said it was the duty of the village leaders to ensure people discussed openly the projects they want the money invested in.

“The expenditure too should involve the people, the task of leaders is to come up with project ideas and the people will decide on them. No leader should take the money without informing the people," said Mulugo.

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN (28/09/2012): http://www.ippmedia.com/frontend/index.php?l=46315