Siha DC cautions parents who marry off schooling daughters

SIHA District Commissioner (DC) Mr Onesmo Busweli has vowed to take legal measures against parents and guardians who have received dowry and planning to marry off their daughters before they complete studies.

Mr Busweli said he has received reports that there are several Standard VII leavers who are not going to enroll for secondary schools for the simple reason that their parents or guardians have received dowry from families of prospective bridegrooms. 

“We are going to be very serious about this issue because we have information that there are Standard VII leavers who are prohibited by their parents and guardians from joining secondary school because they have been lined up for marriage as dowry has been received already. 

“The district government is making investigations in relation to this issue and anyone involving themselves in this dirty game will be in for it as legal measures would be taken against them. It is not acceptable because these children should be left to study and should be supported up to higher learning institutions,” Mr Buswelu remarked. The DC was speaking at a ceremony in which he received 50 desks for Magadini and Karansi primary schools that were donated by Africado Company. 

He noted that a wave of marrying off daughters in the district would rob it of fame that would otherwise be enjoyed by the district if the students were supported to continue with education. 

A senior official at Africado, Mr Pascal Shayo, said that the company bought the desks as part of its mission to support President John Magufuli’s campaign to improve education in the country by seeing pupils study in a better environment. 

“We started with 20 desks meant for Karansi Primary School and now we bring forth 30 more for Magadini Primary School. This is just part of our support to the community in education sector,” he said, adding that they have also supported the sector in infrastructure. 

Magadini Primary School Head Teacher Mr Cornelio Nkya said the aid has greatly helped the school to overcome the desks’ shortage challenge that the school has been facing. She said they remain entangled in challenges such as dusty classrooms and shutter-less windows. 

It has been established that Kilimanjaro Region has at least 238 students who were found to be pregnant between March and August 31 this year, a tendency that the Kilimanjaro Regional Commissioner, Mr Saidi Meck Sadiki has rued, calling upon the public to cooperate with state organs to get rid of it.