Fishing affects children’s education in Rumphi

People in Traditional Authority (T/A) Mwamlowe in Rumphi District have attributed school dropout among children to fishing. The areas in question are Tcharo, Mlowe and Chiweta where children boycott classes for fishing. On Monday, Tcharo Area Development Committee chairperson Mannings Kondowe led other members to monitor the situation in the areas.

He observed that some parents are failing to support their children’s education and instead direct them to fishing as a source of income. Kondowe said the practice deprives children of their right to education and exposes them to risky behaviour, as money earned from fishing often leads children into immoral activities. He said: “When children ask for assistance from their parents, most of the them tell the children to go fishing and find money for their basic needs.

“In the end, these children make a lot of money that make them feel school is not important anymore.” Kondowe said the practice has led to more children engage in drug and substance abuse as well as stealing when the fishing business does not make profits He called for collective efforts among local leaders to formulate and enforce community by-laws aimed at ending the involvement of children in fishing activities. Group village head Chimujiko of T/A Mwamlowe said traditional leaders along the lakeshore will work together to support the formulation of by-laws that protect the rights of children. Rumphi district assistant labour officer Anthony Kalagho acknowledged that child labour remains prevalent in the district, particularly in fishing communities. He said his office will intensify inspections and community awareness campaigns to curb the vice along the lakeshore areas in the district.