Grade six pupils marry

A 16-year-old grade six pupil has been married off to a fellow classmate in Luano district Central Province. Chimika ward councillor Benford Katiti confirmed the marriage in interview with the Daily Nation.

He said the couple were both pupils at Liteta Primary School in Chimika ward.

Mr Katiti said the marriage had triggered mixed feelings among community members.

Mr Katiti who is Luano district council vice chairman and a volunteer teacher at the same school said early marriages were rampant in the area and something tangible should be done to arrest the situation.

Mr Katiti said the situation was worrying because the future of a girl child was bleak.

He also said ignorance and illiteracy was common in the area, adding that parents did not care about girl child education.

He said residents thought education was a waste of time and prioritised marriage to be beneficial. He added that he was facing great challenges in sensitising communities on the dangers of early marriages.

He further said people took him for fun when sensitising them about dangers of early marriages. And Mr Katiti said it was sad that some village headmen were taking the lead in marrying off their girl children and granddaughters instead of discouraging the scourge.

Mr Katiti has since appealed to government, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and the traditional leaders to help in combating the crime and preserve future of the girl child.