The Department of Education in Mambwe District of the Eastern Province has rolled out the Safe Schools Programme. The Programme that is aimed at addressing vices that negatively affect learners, is being piloted at Kasamanda and Chipako Day Secondary Schools, before rolling out to all schools in the district. Mambwe District Education Board Secretary (DEBS) Rodgers Champemba told ZANIS that the programme was aimed at providing a conducive learning and teaching environment.
He said that the programme will also foster equal access to quality education for all. “Some happenings that take place in schools contribute to absenteeism, teenage pregnancies and school drop-outs among pupils,” he said. Mr Champemba said that authorities might not have total control on addressing all things that lead to vices like absenteeism, teenage pregnancies and drop-outs, however, authorities would take charge of matters they have control over.
“We have observed that some things that lead pupils to abscond from classes, dropping out of school and getting pregnant include bullying, as well as Gender Based Violence (GBV),” he said. Champemba added that the Programme will be implemented in close consultation with key stakeholders.
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