Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Government has retrieved 19 girls from forced marriages out of a total of 22 girls who were married off by their parents and guardians in Shiwang’andu `district.
Shiwang’andu Education Board Secretary (DEBS) Kalale Katele says the issue of early marriage is very rife in the district.
Mr Katele disclosed the development when Education Minister Douglas Siakalima paid a courtesy call on newly appointed District Commissioner Maureen Mwamba at her office yesterday.
He further disclosed that at Musonko Primary School, 8 pupils all in Grade 7 have been impregnated.
Mr Katele says government has brought on board a number of cooperating partners that are rendering assistance to vulnerable children.
He states that one of the cooperation partners,Campaign for Female Education (CAMFED) has sponsored 1,125 girls,while under the programme of Keeping Girls in Schools ( KGS) 244 are being sponsored.
Mr. Katele adds that 2, 000 girls are expected to be under KGS sponsorship, adding that so far beneficiaries have already been identified.