Minister urges private sector to support education, eliminate child labor
Malawi's Education Minister calls on private sector to help keep children in school, writes Bridget Mwanoka.
LILONGWE, Malawi — The Minister of Education, Madalitso Kambauwa Wirima, has issued a call to the private sector within the education system, urging their support for keeping children in school as a crucial step in the fight against child labour, writes Bridget Mwanoka.
The call was made during a private sector engagement event held at the Crossroads Hotel in Lilongwe on Friday, May 26, 2023.
The event aimed to promote sustainable and evidence-based corporate social responsibility investments to combat child labour.
Wirima highlighted that while the government has implemented measures to mitigate child labour and ensure access to education, a strong intervention is needed to keep children in school, considering the various factors that contribute to school dropout rates.
"Providing education is a vital aspect of eradicating child labour, as schools provide a safe environment and foster the development of responsible future citizens. The compulsory free primary school policy is a major step in safeguarding Malawian children," Wirima emphasised.
Regarding the mitigation efforts, the Minister mentioned that the Ministry of Education has provided washing facilities for girls to ensure their cleanliness and comfort during menstruation, thus enhancing their sense of safety.
Additionally, a feeding programme has been implemented to encourage children to attend and remain in school.
Charles Kumchenga, the General Secretary of the Teachers Union of Malawi, expressed their commitment to ensuring that every child has access to education.
Through sensitization campaigns and the creation of conducive learning environments, the union is striving to increase school enrollment rates and combat child labour.
During the engagement meeting, it was revealed that sub-Saharan countries, including Malawi, have a staggering total of over 80 million children suffering from child labour.
This alarming statistic underscores the urgent need for collaborative efforts to address this issue.
The Minister's call to the private sector comes as an invitation for their active involvement in supporting the education system's endeavours to eliminate child labour.
By investing in sustainable and evidence-based corporate social responsibility initiatives, the private sector can play a pivotal role in providing resources, opportunities, and support to keep children in school and break the cycle of child labour.
The collaboration between the government, private sector, and education system holds the potential to make a significant impact on safeguarding the well-being and future prospects of Malawian children, while also contributing to the broader global effort to combat child labour.